The Wheaton Park District passed an operating budget of nearly $30 million in November. Below is a brief summary of the 2012 budget plan.

As part of the 2012 budget development process, projections for actual performance for fiscal year end 2011 were calculated.  2013 and 2014 estimations were also provided.  The capital improvement program schedule tied to revenue sources is completed in detail through 2015. Our standard appropriation is 20 percent above budget figures per fund.

Summary of 2012 Budget

• Balanced Aggregate Operating Budget of approximately 30 million dollars Revenue Sources approximately 60 percent fees and charges for services and 40 percent property taxes
• 90 full time employees, approximately 400 part-time employees and approximately 500 seasonal employees
• Cosley Zoo Operating budget should break even in 2011 and is balanced for 2012 but is carrying a $200,000 fund deficit
• Planned Park Improvements, land acquisition, capital projects, purchases and repairs are funded by general obligation bond proceeds, General and Recreation fund operating fund reserves above policy retention levels, annual operating proceeds and federal state and local grants.
• The park district’s tax burden on property owners is approximately  9 cents of every property tax dollar paid
• 2012 budget includes a 2 percent merit wage increase pool across all divisions
• The 2012 budget does not call for increasing the employee contribution for health insurance premiums.
• Arrowhead Golf Club is projected to achieve an operating net of over 1 million dollars in 2012 before asset depreciation and capital projects expenditures

The proposal was placed on public display for 30 days per State Statute and the rest of the Park Board was asked by the President to provide questions and requests for follow up to the Executive Director for timely response prior to the initial public hearing date of Oct. 19.  The complete budget document can be found on the park district’s Web site www.wheatonparkdistrict.com.