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Alex Ty Kovach, Executive Director, akovach@LCFPD.org, 847-968-3338
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Lake County Forest Preserve Board Approves 2021 Budget

In order to continue moving toward the 100-Year Vision and Strategic Plan to preserve and sustain Lake County's natural landscape, and extend community outreach and education, the Lake County Forest Preserve Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2021 budget of $65,767,790 at its October 13 meeting. The 2021 budget total represents an 18% decrease over the current year budget. It covers expenditures for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2021.
 
"The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic fallout have played a significant role in the development of the 2021 spending plan," said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "The impact of the public lockdown and limit on social activities and gatherings has had, and will continue to have, an impact on revenues."

"The pandemic has caused non-tax revenues to decline sharply, as many of our facilities and other amenities that we offer having been forced to close," said Executive Director Alex Ty Kovach. "The gradual reopening has given some relief, however, there are still quite a few programs that remain closed." Revenue is expected to be down $1.7 million this year, he said.

"As one of the nation's top conservation agencies, careful stewardship of every dollar is critical, especially in this economic climate," Kyle said. "We continue to maintain a strong financial position with sound reserves, long-term replacement funds, moderate debt, and a AAA bond rating, an achievement shared by very few forest preserves and park districts in the nation." 

The biggest challenge involves how much revenue the Lake County Forest Preserves will collect next year because of uncertainty regarding when and to what extent facilities can reopen, Kovach said. While approving the budget, the Board had to consider other factors that were outside of their control, including a major change in the state's minimum wage laws. The change will increase the minimum wage gradually through 2025 to $15 per hour. 

Of property taxes collected in Lake County, only about 2% of the average tax bill goes to support the Lake County Forest Preserves. The 2020 proposed tax levy, which will be billed in 2021, is estimated to be 0.9% higher than the 2019 tax levy. This is $10.9 million below the Forest Preserve total tax levy from 2009. In that year, the Forest Preserve portion of the tax bill on a home valued at $250,000 was $153.89. With the approved 2021 budget, the Forest Preserve portion of the tax bill on that same home is (assuming it changed with the average change in property values) is estimated to be $124.29, which is $29.60 lower than the 2009 tax bill. Comparing the 2020 tax bill to the 2019 bill for this same home would show an increase of $1.19.

Budget Overview

Several operational changes were approved for the 2021 budget, including the closing of the beach at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville. Attendance at the beach has trended downward over the past several years and the increased costs have made the operation financially unviable. It has also become increasingly difficult to employ lifeguards. Another operational change involves food services at ThunderHawk Golf Club in Beach Park. The private company that managed food and banquet services at ThunderHawk chose during the pandemic to end their contract. ThunderHawk staff will begin handling all food service responsibilities permanently. 

An additional ranger police position and a grounds maintenance position will be added to help support growth in the northeastern section of the county. New public access improvements at Pine Dunes (Antioch) and Spring Bluff (Winthrop Harbor), and the opening of Ethel's Woods (Antioch) and the Waukegan Savanna Dog Exercise Area (Waukegan) have significantly increased preserve visitation in this region. 

Bond-funded land acquisition activities and major preserve development activities will decline significantly in 2021. In 2008, voters approved a $185 million referendum to acquire land and develop preserves. These bonds funds will be nearly depleted at the end of 2020.

In 2020, the Preservation Foundation, the charitable partner of the Lake County Forest Preserves, began planning for a fundraising campaign to raise $20 million to establish a permanent endowment for habitat restoration and tree planting activities. Projected revenue from this permanent endowment is currently included in the Capital Improvement Program, starting in 2030. "When the $20 million campaign goal is met, the endowment fund will provide stable funding to support these activities for many years into the future," Kovach said. 
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Excellence is in our Nature
As principal guardian of Lake County’s open space and natural areas since 1958, we set the standard in nature and historic preservation, and in outdoor recreation and education. Acknowledged as a regional and national leader, we protect nearly 31,000 acres of natural land and are the second-largest Forest Preserve District in Illinois.
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