Forest Preserve District proposes flat budget for 2016

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY November 17, 2015 Meeting

The FPDCC presented a flat budget for 2016.  Most of the public testimony at the budget hearing supported the proposed budget which preserved all programs. Many public speakers described their good working relationship with the district and how current programs have benefitted their constituents. Speakers included representatives from Green Corps Chicago, University of Illinois Extension, FPDCC's Conservation Corps, Thatcher Woods Savanna Restoration Project, Growing Solutions (a program for developmentally challenged students from Al Raby High School that grows vegetables for Brookfield Zoo animals); Mujeres Latinas en Accion, El Valor, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo). Several speakers gave moving testimonials on how FPDCC's programs have personally impacted them, giving them opportunities and, for some, a chance to turn their lives around.  All speakers supported expansion of current programs.

Representatives of various Cook County equestrian groups objected to having to pay a fee to use the trails, which were the precursors of today's bike/walking trails and paths.  Many equestrians are members of the Trail Watch volunteer program that informs FPDCC when trees have fallen across trails or block stream flow, or there are other issues needing attention. Most of the surrounding counties do not assess a trail users fee. The collected annual fees ($34 for residents/$49 for non-residents; daily fee is $4) are supposed to be used for "equestrian amenities".  However, of the $80,000 in fees collected the past two years, the only identifiable amenity the four public speakers have seen is seven hitching posts.  They asked to see the equestrian amenities plans.

Forest Preserve Foundation President Shelley Davis highlighted their accomplishments as described in their 2015 annual report , and strategic plan. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the foundation encourages and administers private gifts to further the district's mission and goals. Aligned with the Next Century Conservation Plan and the Centennial Campaign Plan, the foundation focuses on building a base of partners and supporters.  Highlights included raising $168,000 at the Conservation Cup Golf Tournament, which will allow for expansion of the FPDCC's Conservation Corps program.  Due to pension payment uncertainties, the financial support from the foundation will become increasingly important.

More critical of the proposed budget was Lawrence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, which submitted 57 pages of comments on the budget (unclear as to whether those comments also addressed the Cook County Board's budget.) Msall said FPDCC needs a contingency plan for funding pension obligations if pension reforms don't happen. He called for separation of the FPDCC from the Cook County Board, and stated that the current governance & budget aren't sufficiently transparent.

Also concerned about the impact of pension payments on future programs was Benjamin Cox, Exec. Dir. of Friends of the Forest Preserve.  Based on his review of page 17 of the budget, pension obligations will not strain the budget in 2016, but the picture will be different in 2017. He expressed concern that the Resource Management funds which are critical to the district's core mission, will be sacrificed to the pensions.

Commissioner Larry Suffredin picked up on this theme with his similar concern, and General Superintendent Arnold Randall agreed that pension payments are the elephant in the room for the 2017 budget.

Commissioners will vote on the budget at the December 15, 2015 meeting.

In other matters. . .

• Commissioner Larry Suffredin reported on his annual survey of picnic permit users.  One hundred fifty-one (151) respondents out of 400 identified the need for more recycling bins, cleaner restroom facilities, and suggested adding power to picnic shelters.  Signage regarding water pump usage is also necessary. 
• The new campgrounds will be open during winter for cross-country skiing.

Agenda items included the following. . .

• The proposed collective bargaining agreement, salary schedule, wage adjustments and health care plan were referred to the Labor Committee (#15-0584); a leave of absence policy for organ donors was also proposed (Item #15-0618).
• An audit of evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls over procurement card usage was referred to the Audit Committee (#15-0596).
• Proposed contracts include $200,000 for a second large truck capable of removing & transporting large logs (#15-0602); an increase in rock salt & de-icing materials (total contract amount will be $384,000; the City of Chicago and FPDCC bid jointly with the supplier; #15-0603)
• Proposed $1.12 million contract for restoration of 366 acres of the Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve (Palos area).  This site is the #1 priority for restoration as identified in the 2014 Next Century Conservation Plan. (#15-0607); proposed agreement with Openlands and Army Corps of Engineers to develop a work plan to restore valuable remnant wetland communities and the surrounding watershed at Deer Grove West (#15-0620).  The 500 acre Deer Grove West was  FPDCC's first acquisition when it was established 100 years ago.  Costs of this project will be funded via the O'Hare Modernization Mitigation Account designed to address off-site wetland impacts from the O'Hare expansion. Deer Grove West is in the top five priorities for restoration according to the Natural & Cultural Resources Master Plan.
• Proposed partnership with The Nature Conservancy to collaborate on wildfire management activities (Item #15-0621).
• Proposed 10 year license to Waste Management of Illinois, Inc. to install & operate an additional groundwater monitoring well in Beaubien Woods, across the Bishop Ford Highway, from the CID Landfill. License fees exceed $12,000 this year. (#15-0613)
• Proposed contract ($675,000) with Constellation Energy Services to supply district wide electricity (#15-0615)

Submitted by Sheri Latash

No Lock-Step Votes as Board Approves 2016 $4.5 Billion Budget as Amended

2016 Cook County Proposed Budget:  Finance Committee and Board Meetings, Nov. 18, 2015

President Preckwinkle was successful in getting the votes to approve all Amendments to the Executive Budget she supported during the Finance Committee meeting and then in winning approval of both the new revenues and overall spending plan for the $4.5 billion budget at the Board Meeting. One of the interesting aspects of the November 13 Finance Committee meeting, which dealt with the additional revenue sources for the 2016 budget, and the November 18 meeting of the Finance Committee to deal with proposed Amendments to the Budget, was that there were different Commissioners voting for and against the differing proposals.  The same held true during the Board meeting in which the related budget proposals were passed.  In past years, it was common to see the same Commissioners voting together. 

Voting yes to approve the entire budget, as amended, were Commissioners Arroyo, Boykin, Butler, Daley, Gainer, Garcia, Moore, Murphy, Silvestri, Sims, Steele, and Tobolski.  Voting no were Commissioners Fritchey, Goslin, Morrison, Schneider, and Suffredin.  Commissioners Fritchey, Schneider, and Suffredin stated that their opposition was largely based on the tax increases used to support the spending plan, especially the sales tax and hotel tax.

In addition, the following Commissioners voted in opposition to one or more of the other Administration-supported budget-related proposals: Gainer, Murphy, Silvestri, and Tobolski.  Also, Commissioners Boykin, Daley, Fritchey, Goslin, Schneider, and Sims voted against (with Commissioner Suffredin voting present) the two proposals to increase Clerk of the Court fees.

Amendments Delay COLA Increase for Non-Union Employees and Increase Money for Chief Judge’s Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program

The Finance Committee considered 24 proposed amendments to the budget, approving 12 and voting down 4, with 8 withdrawn by sponsors after discussions.  Most of the Amendments approved were non-controversial corrections.  All Commissioners also supported the partial restoration of money for the Chief Judge’s Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program to bring the program up to 60% of the 2015 budget, utilizing additional monies from the Adult Probation Service Fee and the Social Service/Probation and Court Service Fees. 

However, there was much discussion about the proposal to delay until June 1, 2016, the previously approved cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2% for non-union County employees that had been scheduled to be effective on December 1, 2015.  The Chief of Staff for the State’s Attorney’s Office  talked about the disparate impact this delay would have on that office that has one of the largest number of non-union employees:  the office is 3% of the budget, but its employees will bear 22% of the total cost savings through the delay in salary increase.  Another complaint was that this Amendment, like all the others, was posted on the County’s web site less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start of the meeting.  Nevertheless, the Amendment passed by a vote of 14-3, with Commissioners Fritchey, Murphy, and Suffredin voting no. 

Commissioner Fritchey ended up withdrawing 3 proposed amendments which offered an across the board cut of 1% in lieu of the hotel tax and ticket re-sellers’ tax, knowing that the votes weren’t there to pass them.  Also withdrawn was a proposal to add $500,000 for restorative justice for grants from the Justice Advisory Council.  The head of that Council spoke against the proposal saying that it preferred to first see whether the existing grants were producing positive results before giving out more money. 

One Amendment that failed to pass was sponsored by Commissioners Arroyo and Suffredin which would have eliminated 9 positions from  the Clerk of the Court’s Inspector General department in favor of adding 11 Asst. State’s Attorney positions.  Comm. Arroyo stated that based on what the Clerk of the Court had said the duties of the Inspector General’s department in her office were (to investigate complaints of fraud and abuse in that office), the Commissioner believes these positions are redundant to the duties of the State’s Attorney.  Another Commissioner wondered why the Clerk of the Court didn’t just use the County’s Inspector General.  However, the Clerk of the Court’s Chief of Staff said that its employees in the Inspector General’s department also had to transfer evidence, such as bags of heroin, to and from court, and transfer large sums of money around, which you wouldn’t want the average employee in the Clerk’s office to do.  Commissioners Daley, Fritchey, Gainer, Garcia, and Tobolski joined with Commissioners Arroyo and Suffredin, but the Amendment failed with 10 Commissioners voting against. 

Also failing was an Amendment sponsored by Commissioner Steele to add 3 investigative positions to the Public Defender’s office by increasing the turnover adjustment for that department.  Commissioners Arroyo, Fritchey, Moore, Murphy, and Suffredin joined Steele in supporting, but 10 other Commissioners voted no.

The Finance Committee and Board meetings to deal with the budget began at 2 pm, after all the regularly scheduled committee and Board meetings that day.  These budget meetings ended at about 6:20 pm. 

-- Submitted by Priscilla Mims, League Observer

Finance Committee Supports Taxes on Hotels, E-Cigarette Vapor, Ammunition, & Ticket Resellers, Increases to Clerk of the Court Fees

2016 Cook County Proposed Budget:  Finance Committee Meeting, November 13, 2015

The Finance Committee voted to recommend all the items supported by the Administration at this meeting to consider additional revenues needed for the proposed $4.5 billion budget, as detailed below. The Finance Committee is expected to meet on Wednesday, November 18, following the already scheduled Board and Committee meetings, to consider amendments due to be filed Nov. 13 on the entire proposed budget. Following that meeting, the Board would likely vote on these revenue recommendations and the entire proposed budget. 

 

Also approved by the Committee was an Intergovernmental Agreement between Cook County and the Pension Fund (which has already been approved). This Agreement provides that $270,526.000 of the sales tax revenue will be contributed by the County to the Pension Fund in November, 2016.  This approval came after consideration of an alternative “Memorandum of Understanding” supported by Commissioners Gainer, Fritchey, Suffredin, and Murphy which would have provided for a continuing obligation beyond 2016, though this agreement, like the one approved, did have a termination provision. The Administration stated that it is expected that similar Intergovernmental Agreements will be presented as part of each future budget if the Administration’s Pension Reform Bill before the Illinois legislature is not enacted.

Hotel Tax (Item 15-6468).  As passed, effective May 1, 2016, will add a new County tax of 1% on the gross rental/room rate of all hotels, motels, and vacation stays in homes, the latter added by an amendment in order to make sure this covers Airbnb-type arrangements. This will increase the total tax in Chicago to 17.4%, the 4^th highest in the country. 

A number of speakers during the Public Comment portion who represent the hotel and tourist and convention industry opposed the taxes, expressing concern that it will result in conventions looking elsewhere where the costs are lower.  The representative from Choose Chicago, the official tourist marketing agency for Chicago, said that while there was no lost business when Chicago raised the hotel tax several years ago, that was done in connection with cost-cutting reforms at McCormick Place and the creation and funding of Choose Chicago, which currently has lost its state funding. Other speakers, including representatives from some of the County’s employee unions, supported this and the other taxes so that the County would not have to lay off workers and reduce services.  Commissioner Suffredin also expressed concern that this tax was being imposed without proper planning; he questioned whether the estimated revenues from this tax were too low.

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Boykin, Butler, Garcia, Goslin, Moore, Murphy, Sims, Tobolski, Daley

Voting against:  Fritchey, Gainer, Morrison, Schneider, Silvestri, Suffredin

Absent:  Steele

Vapor Fluid Tax (E-Cigarettes) (Item 15-6025).  As passed, effective May 1, 2016, will add a new tax of $0.20 per fluid milliliter of nicotine liquid solution depleted as a vapor product. 

During Public Comments, speakers for and against spoke on this issue.  Speakers for cited health issues.  Speakers against (those in the business of selling vapor products) said that they would move out of Cook County and the County would lose the sales taxes, as well as not see the revenues from this new tax.

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Boykin, Butler, Gainer, Goslin, Moore, Murphy, Silvestri, Sims, Suffredin, Tobolski, Daley

Voting against:  Morrison, Schneider

Voting present:  Fritchey

Absent:  Garcia, Steele

Tax on Ammunition (Item 15-6469).  As passed, will impose new tax effective June 1, 2016 of $0.05 per cartridge for centerfire ammunition and $0.01 per cartridge for rimfire ammunition, with all proceeds to go to public safety operations.

Speakers were for and against during the Public Comment period.  Commissioners voting against this were concerned that this would again drive out businesses, thereby losing sales taxes and jobs, but would not produce sufficient revenues to combat the problem of gun violence.  Also, the tax on guns enacted by the County several years ago has been tied up in litigation, and there was concern that this tax will be contested in court.

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Boykin, Butler, Garcia, Moore, Murphy, Sims, Suffredin, Daley

Voting against:  Fritchey, Goslin, Morrison, Schneider, Silvestri, Tobolski

Absent:  Gainer, Steele

Amusement Tax   (Item 15-6024): The Administration had withdrawn its proposal to tax cable television, as well as bowling and golf and other similar amusements, but this item is intended to make the County’s ordinance consistent with Chicago’s, and it also imposes the tax on ticket sellers and resellers who have a physical presence in the County.

During the Public Comment period, it was clarified that State law preempts the County from imposing the tax on internet auction listing services, such as E-bay, Stub Hub, etc.  The representative for the Central States Ticket Brokers Association said that it does not impose the tax per se, but wants it to be applied to all, but, as Commissioner Suffredin said, that would take a change to State law. 

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Boykin, Butler, Gainer, Moore, Murphy, Silvestri, Sims, Suffredin, Tobolski, Daley

Voting against:  Fritchey, Goslin, Morrison, Schneider

Absent:  Garcia, Steele

Clerk of the Court Automation Fee (Item 15-5775):  Effective December 1, 2015, the court automation fee will increase from $15.00 to $25.00 and be imposed on each party in all civil cases and by the defendant in other cases.

A representative of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel spoke against this and the next fee.

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Butler, Gainer, Moore, Morrison, Murphy, Sims, Silvestri, Tobolski

Voting against:  Boykin, Goslin, Schneider, Daley

Voting present:  Fritchey, Suffredin

Absent:  Garcia, Steele

Clerk of the Court Document Storage Fee (Item 15-5780):  Effective December 1, 2015, the court document storage fee will increase from $15.00 to $25.00 and be imposed on each party in all civil cases and by defendants in other cases. 

Voting to approve:  Arroyo, Butler, Gainer, Moore, Morrison, Murphy, Silvestri, Sims, Tobolski

Voting against:  Boykin, Fritchey, Goslin, Schneider, Daley

Voting present:  Suffredin

Absent:  Garcia, Steele

-- Priscilla Mims, League Observer

Hotel Tax and Ammunition Tax Added to Budget Considerations

2016 Cook County Proposed Budget:  Board Meeting, Nov. 9, 2015

The Cook County Board referred two proposed new taxes to the Finance Committee for consideration as part of the 2016 budget proceedings.  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, Nov. 13 at 1 pm to consider these new taxes, as well as other previously introduced new revenue sources.  This follows past practice whereby the Committee votes on revenue proposals first, then at a later date considers the budget as a whole.  This subsequent budget meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18.

President Preckwinkle, along with 8 Commissioners, is sponsoring a new ordinance that would impose a 1% hotel accommodation tax effective May 1, 2016.  Nine Commissioners are needed to pass this proposal.  During the Public Comment period, the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Hotel, who is also on the Executive Committee of Choose Chicago, spoke against the proposed tax.  He stressed that the hotel tax will hurt Chicago in competing for conventions, whose main competition is with Orlando and Las Vegas which have hotel taxes of 12.5% vs. 17.5% which would result from this additional 1%.  Sixty-five percent of the business of his hotel is dependent on conventions.  Some Commissioners questioned whether the 1% increase ($1.85 per day on a room rate of $185) would really be a deterrent.  The speaker said that this increase would be a deterrent to those arranging conventions.

The other proposed tax, sponsored by President Preckwinkle and Commissioner Boykin, would impose a 5 cent per cartridge tax on centerfire ammunition, and a 1 cent per cartridge charge for rimfire ammunition, effective June 1, 2016.  The Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Handgun Violence urged that this tax be passed, stressing the costs being incurred by government and citizens to deal with gun violence.  The speaker said that people in Chicago incur $2.5 billion a year in costs attributable to medical, police, and judicial functions related to gun violence. 

-- Priscilla Mims, League Observer

No Lack of Input at Second Public Hearing on Proposed Budget

2016 Budget Public Hearing:  Maybrook Court House, Maywood,  November 5, 2015,  6:30 PM.

The hearing began on time and had 12 commissioners present. The hearing was chaired by Comm. Boykin. 

Approximately 25 people spoke, some alone and some on behalf of groups with many people standing at the podium.
Many people spoke out against the e-cigarette tax, one even claiming that such a tax would increase the amount of people who smoked regular cigarettes. One speaker was the owner of a “Vape” shop and worried about the loss of business that might occur. Also noted were several speakers who wanted more money for Restorative Justice programs. A group called Peacekeepers handed out sheets of statistics to the commissioners about lowering recidivism rates. These folks were very polite and thanked the board for the $500,000 donation to their group. Conversations about budget balancing ensued. Finally, Reclaim Chicago spoke about the Responsible Business Act. It basically taxes employers who pay less than a fair wage.

   

Some other interesting speakers included the Mayor of Lyons who complained about the 3% Amusement Tax hurting seniors the most. The Commissioners thanked this mayor profusely for the recent regulations placed on the gun shop in Lyons. Other speakers complained about the same tax. Comm. Daley stated that this tax probably would not happen.

A doctor from Access to Care based at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood asked for more funding. Some discussion ensued about treating illegal immigrants. Comm. Suffredin said that he would work with this program to try to come up with a solution to this problem. Others complained about county taxes treating illegals. Comm. Garcia said CCHHS has a mission to treat everyone equally and doctors have an oath to treat the sick.

The SEIU (state unionized workers) speaker complained about cutting the grafitti removal team because it has been very successful. A speaker from Safer Foundation thanked the board for its support in the past. Several cancer patients thanked the board for County Care and the expansion of Medicaid. Many had had no health care at all until 2 years ago.
 

A huge group from TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) came to the podium. They explained their mission and looked forward to working with the State’s Attorney's Office and the Jail by expanding diversion programs. Another speaker asked for more county facilities to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. She complained about both downtown county buildings and the difficulties wheelchair bound people have negotiating some of the doors and elevators.

   

The most emotional part of the evening came when one speaker (calling himself “just a taxpayer") complained about the increasing sales tax which makes Cook County have the highest sales tax in the nation. Comm. Sims said that it was a fair tax because it hits everyone who shops in Cook County evenly. She became emotional when she told everyone how difficult it was to balance this budget when all groups are asking for more money.

--Submitted by Jan Goldberg

Improving on Technology Front, But County Still Has a Ways to Go

2016 Cook County Proposed Budget:  Bureau of Technology and Board of Commissioners, Oct.27, 2015

Bureau of Technology

Simona Rollinson, the Chief Information Officer (CIO), explained that the Bureau is moving away from customized solutions to looking at commercial, off-the-shelf solutions which are more reliable and take far less time to implement.  In addition, they are looking at multi-phase development for incremental change.  She heard many complaints that in the past the Bureau would spend years working on a new system, only to find that when it was ready to be implemented, it was out of date. 

This new approach requires special skills, which is why 1/3 of the Bureau are either new hires or new promotions.  While the number of employees is down, the total salaries are up for 2016, reflecting what is needed to both hire and retain employees with the necessary skills.  There were several questions by Commissioners about some of the salaries, and the CIO was to get back to them. 

Ms. Rollinson cited a number of accomplishments in 2015, including the awarding of contracts for the “Big 4” new systems:  the Integrated Property System, the Integrated Revenue System, the Integrated Justice System, and the County-wide Enterprise Resource Planning System. Implementation will begin in 2016.

For many years the Commissioners have expressed concern over the separate systems in each of the different elected officials’ offices.  Ms. Rollinson said that 2015 saw the rollout of the new process whereby any new contract for technology anywhere in the County must first obtain the concurrence of the CIO.  This should reduce duplication and encourage collaboration, even though technology personnel still remain in each of the separately elected officials’ offices.  Several Commissioners stated they were willing to help encourage the elected officials to cooperate with the Bureau as needed.  Chairman Daley said one way the Board can help is to not authorize money for individual systems unless a department is cooperating.

Commissioner Schneider said that in the past the Board has authorized many dollars to be spent on technology with the expectation that this would result in a reduction in personnel.  But this has not happened in most cases.  The CIO stated that she thinks that the new Time and Attendance system being implemented will show results. But she also said that the question about technology improvements and employee count needed to be directed to individual departments.

Commissioner Boykin asked how the CIO would grade the County in terms of technology.  The CIO said that it was moving toward being comparable to other counties of its size, but that means that more improvement is necessary.  Commissioner Tobolski asked whether the County would be able to implement the Chicago Mayor’s proposal in Springfield which would exempt properties less than $250,000 from the new increase in property taxes just approved in the city (or provide rebates).  The CIO stated that the County had just received the bill the prior Monday and were evaluating what would be required.  Commissioner Steele offered to connect the Bureau with the Seattle Assessor’s office which has utilized its Geographic Information System (GIS) to grow economic development and which has a wonderful integrated property system. 

Board of Commissioners

The Secretary to the Board, Matthew DeLeon, presented the budget for the Board, which includes the Secretary’s budget.  Overall, the total budget is up $203,000, or 2.7%, most of that for salary increases for staff (the Commissioners’ salaries are set by ordinance, and have not been raised in many years).  There was some discussion about the fact that several years ago all the Commissioners’ budgets were equal, but that is no longer the case. Commissioner Boykin stated that his office is not implementing any new salary increases out of concern for the impact on the poor and seniors as a result of the sales tax increase.  Commissioner Schneider made the point that he has never utilized his entire approved budget, in effect giving back money to the County each year.  Commissioner Sims suggested money could be saved if there was a central office supply purchasing plan, rather than each office purchasing its own supplies.

Commissioner Schneider asked about the reference in the Capital Budget for changes to the Board Room. Mr. DeLeon explained that the goal is to make the Room accessible for the public, the Commissioners, and the County staff, which it clearly is not now.  The 2016 Capital Budget contains money to start on this.  Commissioner Tobolski asked why they can’t go ahead and purchase a couple large television screens to project agendas and presentations.  After Mr. DeLeon stated some issues that had to be considered first, Mr. Tobolski (jokingly?) offered to purchase them himself.

Several Commissioners complained about the salary increased in other County departments, in contrast to their own salaries.  Chairman Daley reminded them that they have the power to increase the salaries for Commissioners, but that any increase would not take place until after the next election for Commissioners, in 2018. 

Commissioner Sims expressed concern over speakers who utilize the public comment time to make derogatory comments and/or fail to stick to a subject on the agenda for a Board or Committee meeting.  Mr. DeLeon stated that per the State’s Attorney General, a public comment time must be offered to all, but that the chair does have the authority to regulate the speaker should the speaker go off topic. 

-- Priscilla Mims, League Observer

Plans for $338M in Capital Investments Outlined

Cook County 2016 Budget Hearings - Capital Budget    October 26, 2015

Ivan Samstein, Cook County CFO, presented an overview of the Capital Budget for the county including Capital Equipment and Capital Improvements. He explained that most of the projects included within this part of the budget are multi-year projects and the monies to pay for the expenditures for the various projects come from debt proceeds (meaning issuing of bonds or borrowing), grants, or pay as you go funds such as the Motor Fuel Tax. His slide presentation can be viewed by clicking FY16 Capital Budget Presentation.

The Proposed Capital Budget for 2016 is $338.8M in Total Capital Investments with $199M for Capital Improvements to county facilities, $74.7M in Capital Equipment, and $65.1M in Highway/Transportation projects for county maintained roads and bridges. In 2016 about 75% of the money for the projects will be from debt proceeds and about $80M will be pay as you go funds.

Phil Boothby, Director of Capital Planning, was asked to present the plans for the $199M for Capital Improvements in 2016. These expenditures are part of the 2016-2025 $1.4B program developed for the county for capital improvements. Facility assessments have been done on all properties and work has been prioritized. Expenditures in 2016 will include warehouse and print shop consolidation, Pedway improvements, board room improvements, demolition at the jail, and improvements at Stroger Hospital.

John Yonan, Superintendent of the Highway Dept., presented the plans for the $64M for highways. There is now a Long Range Transportation Plan for the county from now until 2040. He stated that prior to now there had been no plan for the past 70 years. As part of the plan within the next 4 years it is expected that all Motor Fuel Tax money will go into transportation cost and not be diverted into the general fund. He outlined several projects for 2016 that mostly involve pavement rehab and bridge repair throughout the county - highlighting work on Lake/Cook Rd. and Plainfield Rd. 

Tanya Anthoney, Budget Director, outlined the recommendation for Capital Equipment. She stated that each department submitted their requests, totaling $128m, and the proposed budget pared this down to include $74.7M for equipment - 83% of which is for IT projects.

Simona Rollinson, Chief Information Officer, then outlined the continuing efforts to modernize IT operations throughout the county. She said the negotiations with the departments were intense but she believes the $62M requested for IT in the budget will continue the progress that is being made. The countywide Time and Attendance system is intended to be implemented in 2016. She said that many of the projects are already authorized as part of the Enterprise Resource Planning Business Process which includes the Time and Attendance as well as HR and other functions.

After all these presentations only Comm. Sylvestri and Morrison had questions and both centered on whether, after significant and ongoing financial commitment, the county was becoming a modern technological entity capable of achieving efficiencies based on the investments being made. Ms. Rollinson stated that continued investment is necessary. Integrating the systems of the Sheriff and the Courts is still a process that will take continued investment over the next 4-5 years. She stated that the Time/Attendance technology will be the most tangible measure to be seen in 2016. Comm. Morrison requested an itemized list of the IT investments authorized by the board and she said she would provide it to him.

Comm. Daley ended the meaning by pointing out that this Capital Budget presentation and plan is a big change from previous years when Capital Equipment/Improvement was 1 line in the budget with no explanation or plan.

No mention was made of STAR performance measures and since capital costs run across all departments any measures may be integrated into the individual departments.

Further explanation of the Capital Budget can be found within the budget book. 

Submitted by Cynthia Schilsky, observer

Automation Working in Treasurer’s Office!

Maria Pappas, Treasurer
November 2, 2015 Budget Presentation

The budget for the Treasurer’s Office is $12.2 million of which $11.1 million comes from fees and $1.1 million from the budget the Board approves. Employee count is 89 FTE (down from 250 in 1998). Ms. Pappas credits all the automation efforts in her office for reducing the cost of running the
Treasurer’s office. Among other cost reduction procedures are the following methods of tax payment:

• Chase Bank (and other local banks) used by taxpayers to pay property taxes
• locked box payments
• wire payments
• credit card payments

Only about 20,000 residents come in to the office to pay their property taxes. This saves a lot of employee time.

The Treasurer’s website provides extensive information for taxpayers and others who need information from this office. Brochures and FAQs are offered in many languages besides English. Tax sale time has been decreased because of electronic use by buyers and at the office. A “STOP”
measure prevents taxpayers from double-paying. There is increased transparency for municipal governments regarding TIF data and debt load.

The office plans to be almost paperless within a few years, with other agencies in Cook County following the technology gains/methods in this office.

Because of increased efficiencies and some accounting measures (which this observer did not understand), the Treasurer’s Office will return $5-8 million to the county for 2015 only. Ms. Pappas suggested the Board form a committee to pursue digitizing the warrant books which are the only
accurate source of property tax information. This could then be sold to law firms, mortgage companies, title companies, etc.

Praise was heaped on this office by many commissioners. One concern by them and Ms. Pappas was the State of Illinois pushing the tax delinquency date up for those who didn’t pay their taxes on time. Many felt this was unfair to homeowners who have difficulty paying.

Karin Hribar, Observer