Susan Aberman

The Skokie Park District envisions a community with a high quality of life through leisure pursuits, open spaces, and first-rate facilities. This vision is to be achieved via teamwork, community partnerships, sound fiscal management, and creativity, underpinned by core values including commitment, environmental stewardship, inclusiveness, innovation, integrity, openness, and service. The plan outlines specific goals across administration, park services, business services, recreation, and facility management, emphasizing improvements, community engagement, and operational excellence for the period 2024-2025.

Key discussion items for the meeting included the presentation of the final draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update, which will be formally approved in April. Bids were reviewed and approved for several projects: the 2026 Asphalt Improvements project (awarded to Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. for $146,000) and the Skokie Sports Park Synthetic Putting Green Bid (awarded to Playground Safe for $71,500). An update was provided on the Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan, noting that many flagged items can be resolved through upcoming renovations. Staff reports covered updates on park maintenance, recreation statistics, facility rental usage, IT network security upgrades, and ongoing committee activities, including planning for the Backlot Bash and staff appreciation events.

The meeting agenda included several Treasurer's Action Items, most notably the Adoption of Ordinance # 26-001, which provides for the abatement of certain taxes levied for the payment of principal and interest on various General Obligation Park Bonds (Series 2007B, 2021A, 2013B, 2015B, 2017B, 2019A, 2023A, and 2025A), as sufficient alternate revenues were received. Staff Action Items involved approving several construction and procurement bids, including the 2026 Concrete Improvements bid, the replacement of two vehicles (a Ford 250 crew cab pickup and a Ford 550 dump truck), the installation bid for Gleiss Park and Lyon Park playgrounds, the restoration bid for the Skokie Heritage Museum Historic Cabin, and the bid for painting the Sports Park Driving Range Structure. Staff reports covered divisional updates, and the President noted the date for the next meeting.

The agenda for the regular board meeting included a staff recognition for the Emily Oaks Nature Center Manager. Key action items involved the 2026 Bond Financing Timeline and the Comprehensive Plan Update, with Hitchcock Design Group presenting on the "envision" and "prioritize" phases. Staff action items also included the approval of a Referendum Consultant Agreement. The board was scheduled to address Treasurer's Action Items, Treasurer's Report, and attorney's report (none provided). The meeting concluded with an Executive Session to discuss real property transactions and closed meeting minutes, followed by action to approve executive session minutes from a previous date.

This document presents the proposed budget for the Skokie Park District for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. It details anticipated revenues and expenses across various operational and capital funds, including Corporate, Recreation, Revenue Facilities, Museum, Special Recreation, IMRF Pension, Liability, Social Security, Audit, Debt Service, and Capital Funds. The budget outlines financial assumptions, allocations for capital expenditures, and financial summaries for different departments such as administration, marketing, park services, cultural centers, and recreation programs, aiming to support the district's vision, mission, and core values.