Rockford Park District & reality: Spending cuts of $1.4 million are planned for the 2010 budget year, including administrative wage freezes and changes to health insurance that would total $955,000 in savings.
DeKalb Park District & reality:
[PDF p. 1] Hopkins Aquatic Center Season Evaluation Report
Director Capek asked if the Board had any questions regarding the Hopkins Pool end of season report.
President Volk asked about the projected loss for the year. Director Capek replied that the anticipated loss was approximately $30,000.*
…
[PDF p. 1] Ellwood House Capital Budget Request
[Ellwood House Director Jerry] Brauer stated that he would like to request TIF funds for a multitude of projects.
Director Capek commented that the TIF funds available to the District** have been ear marked [sic] for other capital improvements.
…[PDF p. 2] End of Year Employee Gift
Director Capek advised the Board that they may wish to refrain from extending the employee bonuses this fiscal year due to budget concerns.
Commissioner Teboda stated that he was in favor of granting a $100 bonus to full-time and IMRF employees because of the hard work staff does.
President Volk stated that he was also in favor of the bonuses because the amount was very modest and helped morale.
Commissioner Hanson stated that as a government employee she was not sure if bonuses should be approved during a time of budget concerns.
Commissioner Young felt that taking bonuses away may be negative for morale.
Commissioner Teboda further stated that a small bonus during difficult financial times could help staff and boost morale during these difficult times.
The consensus was to give a $100 gift to full-time and IMRF employees.
…[PDF p. 6] Staff Report
Asst. Director Garrison reported that Todd Bex was hired as the new Asst. Projects Manager and would be reporting for his first day of work on Monday, November 16.
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*The FY 2009 projected fee revenues from the Aquatic Program were $29,000 [PDF p. 3].
**The TIF Reimbursement projected for FY 2009 was $150,000 [PDF p. 11].
5 comments
Comment by Ivan Krpan on January 1, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Anticipated loss for the pool this summer was $30,000.00? Was the pool open this winter? Why doesn’t she know what the pool did for business? I hope they don’t count the banquet hall/meeting rooms as part of the pool revenue? That should have nothing to do with pool operations and if that is the case what is the real loss for the pool?
Now also think of this. $30,000.00 anticipated loss with fees the highest they have ever been and supposedly a pooli that has been paid for how long? The numbers do not work for an aquatic center.
Also, why are they not allowing the pool to be financed the same way the recreational center was financed? This did not need a referendum to get done. Was Dave Emanuelson just that much smarter? He knew that a chance for a referendum probably meant failure.
The type of bonds that Dave used to build the rec center required fees to pay the bonds off not a property tax guarantee like the current park district is looking for. This is why there is a referendum. Taxpayers will be billed the price tag of this aquatic center while the park district sucks up the fees charged for operations and any other “pet projects” they may have in mind.
The taxpayers cannot support this plan and they fully know that user fees will not support the plan either. Proof as to why this plan is wrong, all wrong for DeKalb right now.
Comment by Ivan Krpan on January 1, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Listen I do not wish to be a scrooge but with regards to the bonus for employees.
These really are strange times with regards to our economy and jobs. Our country and its many employers find themselves in unchartered water for most part. I under Teboda’s feel good sentiment with what a bonus would do for the employees but I also appreciate Hanson’s comment about being a government employee.
Commissioner Hanson hit it on the nail. For most part, these park district and IMRF employees pretty much have had a guaranteed job to a point and continue to have a job. Not many Americans in the private sector can say the same. I would have certainly hoped that by just receiving a full 40 hour paycheck at the Holiday time like many other Americans would not be doing would be considered bonus enough.
Unfortunately, many government employees do not think this way and this could be much of the problem we are experiencing today. What would these government employees start to say if the mowing and snow plowing services were to be bid out to subcontractors lowering the IMRF obligations along with the need for having that personel at all? What a savings that could be realized by taxpayers.
For this reason alone, the fact that the park district has yet to think this way to be a beautiful Holiday bonus for most of the park district st aff. I know this, I would have loved to have a bonus this Christmas heck I would have loved to just have a paycheck, you?
Comment by Gracie Mott on January 1, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for pointing out the attitude displayed by our Park Board Yinn. The blatant ignorance of this Board to the realities of our current situation mirror those of other DeKalb area governmental boards and Councils. It is all very disappointing.
Those governmental entities who are seizing this opportunity to downsize budgets now, will do far better over the next few years…
Comment by Kay Shelton on January 3, 2010 at 8:34 am
Capek and Hanson have a better handle on reality. DeKalb County’s biggest employer gave its employees hints of furloughs and hints of not being able to make payroll as for their holiday ‘bonus.’
Comment by yinn on January 3, 2010 at 10:25 am
Agreed about Capek and Hanson. They have my gratitude. Unfortunately there are not enough who do get it. The first rumblings about NIU’s payroll problem should have been a signal for all to “batten down the hatches.” To continue to operate as usual is madness.
Watching city, school district et al in these times is like witnessing the proverbial slo-mo train wreck.
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