Election 2011: What More Can the Park District Do to Cut Expenses?

In these difficult economic times, what more can the Park District do to decrease expenditures in its operating budget?

Having saved over a million dollars out of the total budget two years ago and
cutting the 2011 budget by over $265,000, the present park board has already made
concessions in the operating funds.

However, if forced to cut more from those particular funds, I would probably
have to say that we would have to stop plowing snow from the bike and walking
trails, which will impact kids who use such trails to walk to and from school. We
would need to remove the portable bathrooms from outside areas, probably stop the rotation of killing weeds in significant areas of our community, and cut grass less often.

And, finally, since manpower is such a big part of our operating budget, we
would have to cut jobs and hire fewer seasonal employees. Of course, I would not like to see any of the above occur which is why the present board has chosen to cut other expenditures.

In these difficult economic times, there are a couple of different things to decrease expenditures. The first thing to do is to have better planning for this year and the future. To address this, I am proposing a five-year budget plan.This would allow the board to make more informed decisions on the current year’s budget by also anticipating future expenditures and needs.

The second thing I would do is look for places where costs can be reduced through improved efficiency. An example of this would be using solar pool covers on Park District pools at night. Solar pool covers have been shown to reduce pool heating costs by 50%, reduce chemical costs by 60% and reduce the amount of makeup water by 50%.

I would not support cutting a popular program like Kid’s Connection. Kid’s Connection is a self funded program and fills a vital need in our community. The Board should look for ways to be more efficient instead of cutting programs.

Over the past 3 years the Park District has taken strong actions to lower spending where possible and still provide the programs and services the community needs.  This effort included the freeze of salaries, elimination of management positions, and general belt tightening.  Over the past 10 years the OPD rate rate is down a little over 32% and the new 2011 budget is more than $250,000 less than the 2010 budget. Also I have challenged OPD management to find another 2% for next year but if re-elected I vow not to cut vital programs the community wants and needs. 

My opponents continually say they want to cut wasteful spending but never state what that is.  My fear is that my opponents will cut the Park District Child Development programs that generate some of the highest costs but are offset with fees.  Again my opponents over and over again declare that expenditures and fees are to high. But for some reason they don't realize that expenditures that are offset by fees is good business because our residents get high value services (like Child Development programs} that residents are willing to pay for. 

If elected, reducing operating and capital expenditures will be my top priority. OPD provides little information. Its website lacks detail, its annual report is self-applauding, and meeting minutes lack substance. Board meetings are without substance.

At $456 per resident, OPD spends twice the highest spender of 78 towns, and more than 3 times the Fox Valley PD. I have conducted countless cost savings reviews for not-for-profit and Fortune 500 companies in 35 years of management consulting. A rigorous process must be followed in order to preserve needed programs, while cutting wasteful spending.

The review would answer questions such as: Is this position, program, property, and/or activity needed? If so, can it be accomplished more efficiently internally, or by others? Valid input from the community will be part of the process, to preserve needed programs but to deliver them in a fiscally responsible manner.

Many parents complain of exorbitant OPD fees. We should bend over backward for our young children and senior citizens. They deserve to have a well-managed Park District that delivers excellent services, but with lower taxes and fees. I ask you to vote for Salvador Barocio and Roy White, who will join me in creating a lean but robust Park District.

What we need to look at is the administration costs and what they are providing to our taxpayers.  Along with making sure that positions/job descriptions are not overlapping each other.

Editor's note: did not respond to requsts for answers to followup candidate questions.