The Glencoe Park District Board of Park Commissioners recently conducted a community survey to gauge public opinion on a resolution that would increase the number of Park Board Commissioners from five to seven members, and would also decrease the term of each park Board Commissioner from six to four years.

In total, 52 people responded to the survey, with a majority in support of both resolutions. At the regular Park Board meeting on April 17, the Board passed the resolution for a shortened board term, but decided to consider the resolution to increase from five to seven members at a later time.

Click here to view the results of the Board Size and Term survey. Please note, the results linked here exclude any contact information collected from residents who took the survey.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Glencoe Park District Board of Park Commissioners on December 13, 2011, the Board approved payment of the Park District’s Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) net pension obligation liability, which will save taxpayers approximately $27,000 in future pension costs over the next 20 years.

IMRF provides employees of local governments and school districts in Illinois with retirement, disability, and death benefits. Every dollar paid to IMRF employees comes from three sources: 60 cents from investment returns, 26 cents from IMRF employers, and 14 cents from IMRF members who contribute throughout their careers. In 2008, substantial investment losses significantly increased employer contribution amounts. To alleviate the effects of these losses on participating employers, in February 2009 the IMRF Board approved an optional phase-in contribution rate for employers. At that time, the Park District elected the phase-in rate for 2010 and 2011.

In January 2012, with a healthy fund balance, the Park District had the financial ability to pay off the net pension obligation liability, which totaled $54,535. Paying the liability in full at this time saves the District around $27,000 in interest that would have accrued over a period of twenty years. Starting January 2012, the Park District will now pay the higher Annual Required Contribution (ARC) rate to meet the current IMRF obligations.

In 2011 the Glencoe Park District began an evaluation of the energy use at the Takiff Center. After reviewing the district's energy costs, facility staff determined a need for this type of study. The evaluation, completed by the Illinois Smart Energy Design Assistance Center from the University of Illinois, will help staff better understand the energy usage at the Takiff Center and present possible money saving alternatives that are available. The evaluation was completed free of charge to the district and will provide an energy road map for several years to come.

Click here to view the Takiff Center Energy Evaluation