Brian A Earnest

The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda included a Public Hearing concerning the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance No. 25-04, which was later scheduled for final adoption. The meeting covered Consent Agenda items, including the monthly Check Register and approval of the November 12, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes. Key discussion items involved bids for the Madison Park Bandstand, with staff recommending approval of Derhake Construction LLC as the lowest responsible bidder, although this item was tabled from the previous month. New Business focused heavily on financial planning, including the recommended approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget, Ordinance No. 25-04 (Tentative Combined FY2025 Budget and Appropriation), authorizing seeking bids for a 2026A General Obligation Bond, and the Annual Auditing Services Agreement. Other new business included approving a five-year license agreement for the Friends of the Lorenzo Bull House and approving naming rights for the Upper Moorman Turf Field to Refreshment Services Pepsi. The board also convened in Executive Session to discuss employee compensation, resulting in an action regarding the Executive Director's salary increase.

This Executive Summary provides a concise overview of the Quincy Park District's mission, goals, objectives, and annual operating budget for the year 2026. The District aims to enhance the recreational, cultural, historical, and environmental qualities of life for its residents by providing a well-planned, developed, maintained, and accessible system of public parks, facilities, and programs. The document details the 2026 operating budget, alongside financial analysis, tax levy comparisons, and IMRF funding progress.

The Planning Session included extensive discussions centered around financial planning, capital projects, and facility management. Key discussion topics included the Budget Timeline and the Annual GO Bond Timeline for 2022, reviewing historical tax rates, and financing proposals for proposed capital projects using the 2022 GO Bond and ongoing obligations. A significant portion of the session covered proposed 2022 capital projects, including infrastructure improvements like park road resurfacing, shelter replacements, equipment purchases, and facility audits for various parks and marinas. Other significant discussions involved future options for the Art Keller Marina, location possibilities for a Southeast Park, findings from the Citizens Survey, staff and board communications including leadership succession planning, and current ordinance discussions regarding food trucks and contractor documentation.

The planning session agenda covered comprehensive discussions related to financial planning and capital projects. Key discussion topics included the budget timeline for the 2023 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance alongside the 2022 Tax Levy Ordinance. Detailed analysis of historical tax rates, cash balance reports, and the history of General Obligation Bonds were reviewed. Discussions also centered on the financing structure for proposed 2023 Capital Projects, including specific items such as playground, sidewalk, shelter, and fitness station replacements/upgrades across various parks, as well as equipment purchases. The meeting also touched upon the financials and future options for the Art Keller Marina, communications regarding annual goals and objectives, and potential land sales.

The Board meeting agenda included several key financial and operational matters. Discussions and potential actions covered the bi-annual review and potential release of Executive Session minutes dating back to 1995. Significant new business involved the approval of Ordinance No. 26-01 authorizing $1,188,000 in Taxable General Obligation Park Bonds, Series 2026, and the approval of Ordinance No. 26-02 authorizing $3,200,000 in General Obligation Park Bonds, Series 2026A, to fund park improvements and the Bill Klingner Trail expansion. The Board also addressed the acceptance of the 2026A General Obligation Bond bid, recommended approval for transferring funds to cover year-end balances, reviewed financial data for Westview, and discussed the Executive Director's salary increase following an executive session. Operational reports from various directors regarding parks, business services, programming, and marketing were also presented.