Annual Report 2015-16.krn.indd

ANNUAL REPORT
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT...
I am fortunate to represent the Vernon Hills community as a Board member of our Park District. Our mission of promoting
diverse community based recreational opportunities is one the board and staff uphold through our vision to ‘address
the lifelong needs of all Vernon Hills residents’.
The Annual Report highlights the District’s financial practices/accomplishments, strategic efforts, capital planning and
agency goals. Throughout 2015, the Park District was able to maintain a strong financial structure and has taken
significant strides in strengthening our long term fiscal responsibilities. Moody’s upgraded the District’s bond rating
from an A2 to an Aa2, a rare occurrence in the current financial climate. The District received this improved credit rating
due to a healthy fund balance and good financial management.
The District embarked on a project to replace the twenty year old Kids’ Castle playground in Deerpath Park. The original wooden structure
was built by residents with community donations, and Village and Park District dollars. The District reached out to the community again and
volunteers were on hand in October, 2015 to tear down the old structure and returned again in the spring to help with the finishing touches.
The castle theme is still intact with more interactive play features and is accessible to children of all abilities. In addition to Kids’ Castle,
Deerpath Park’s 6 tennis courts and 2 ball fields were enhanced and paths and parking lot were improved. Two additional playgrounds,
Cynthia Peterson Park and Grosse Pointe Park, were replaced in the past year according to the District’s Master Plan.
In cooperation with the Village of Vernon Hills, the District purchased the former Opa restaurant site. The structure was demolished and a
Century Park expansion is planned for late 2017. Currently, the Sullivan Community Center is under construction. The renovation project
includes a new preschool wing, gymnasium and office space for staff. The project is scheduled to be fully completed in Spring, 2017.
The Park District thanks our residents for their continued
support of our programs, parks and facilities, and we always
welcome your feedback.
Board of Commissioners
David Doerhoefer, President
Vernon Hills Park District
Board of Commissioners
Cindy Kessler
Vice President
Mike Meline
Jim Ballowe
Bruce Robbins
ENHANCING VALUE
Park District programs and services are funded largely through user fees, while property
tax revenue primarily funds operational and maintenance costs of park amenities and
facilities. The District’s tax rate for the fiscal year 2016 was .455 per $100 of assessed
value, compared to .445 in the previous year. The Park District represents 5% of the total
property tax bill for Vernon Hills residents.
EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING
For the 21st consecutive year, the District received the Certificate of Achievement
for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA (Government Finance Officer’s
Association) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the highest
form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.
At the conclusion of each fiscal year, a financial audit and CAFR is completed. The audit is
a mandated financial report compiled by a professional auditor. The goal of a CAFR is to
clearly communicate the Park District’s financial story. To achieve this award, the District’s
CAFR has to demonstrate a constructive “spirit of full disclosure”, clearly communicate
its financial story, and motivate potential users to read the CAFR. The District’s CAFR and
budget can be found on the District’s website.
OVERVIEW OF VERNON HILLS PROPERTY TAXES
Vernon Hills Park District at a Glance
Fiscal Year
Population
Tax Rate
Outstanding Debt
Total Budget
Bond Rating
2008
23,353
$0.344
$6,802,669.000
6,779,752
A2
2016
25,613
$0.455
$4,580,660.000
11,466,164
Aa2

School Districts
71%
2
A bond rating relates to the credit worthiness of an organization.
The Park District bond rating improved due to a healthy fund
balance and good financial management.
Source: Moody’s Investor Service
   
Library, Lake
Fire
College
Forest County Protection
of Lake
Preserve, 7%
County
6%
Road &
Park 3%
Gravel
District
8%
5%
REVENUES AND RESOURCES
For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2016, revenue totaled
$11,118,753. The largest sources of revenue were derived from
property taxes (42%), user fees (44%), and bond proceeds (10%).
Revenue and Resources
Rentals 2%
Bond Proceeds
10%
Property Taxes
42%
Property Taxes
As a government entity, the Park District has the power to levy and
collect taxes on all taxable property within the District through the
preparation of a tax levy ordinance. The Equalized Assessed Value
(EAV) of your property will determine the amount of property taxes
you will pay to the Park District. In 2016, only 5% of your total tax
bill will go to the Park District.
User Fees
User fees are charged for recreation programs. The fees are
based on the level of desired cost recovery and vary depending
on community or individual benefits. Programs that benefit the
community as a whole such as special events have low fees offset
by property taxes and programs that benefit individual users such
as swimming lessons have higher fees. Fees are reviewed annually
by Board and staff during preparation of the operating budget. 44%
of the District’s operating revenue is collected through user fees.
Misc 2%
User Fees 44%
Investment Income
0.12%
Other
Facility Rentals
Facility rental fees are commonly made to individuals or affiliates,
and include athletic fields, meeting rooms and picnic areas.
EXPENDITURES
For the fiscal year ending May 31, 2016, expenses totaled
$11,112,648. The Park District funded $1,627,837 in capital
improvements during the fiscal year 2016.
Expenditures
Other revenues include the sale of surplus property, investment
income, and miscellaneous reimbursements. The Park District
does not receive any sales tax revenue.
Salaries and Wages
The District has 49 full-time and 180 part-time positions.
Additionally, 175 seasonal employees are hired to fill openings in
summer camps, aquatic center, and park maintenance.
Capital Projects
Capital Projects 5%
Debt Service 20%
Salaries & Wages
33%
The District maintains a five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which
staff and Board review on a regular basis. Expenditures reflect the
annual expenses associated with the current fiscal year. Funding of
capital projects is provided through the issuance of debt obligations
and from operating surplus.
Benefits
Expenditures for employee health insurance premiums and
employer costs associated with social security and pension benefits.
Benefits 13%
Contractual 24%
Supplies 5%
Contractual Services
Expenditures reflect outside services. The District outsources some
mowing, landscape and cleaning services, and maintains several
agreements with recreational providers who perform services that
enable the District to offer a variety of programs to all ages.
Debt Service
Principal and interest payments owed on outstanding debt issues.
Debt Service expenditures include retirement of general obligation
bonded debt, which was accumulated in prior years to finance large
scale projects.
Supplies
Materials and supplies needed to provide programs and park
maintenance services.
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IMPROVING THE PARKS
CYNTHIA PETERSON PARK
TWO NEW PLAYGROUNDS!
GROSSE POINTE PARK
2015-2016 FUTURE PARK PROJECT
Deerpath Park Master Plan & Kids’ Castle Playground Renovation
UPDATES INCLUDE:
» Renovation of Kids’ Castle Playground
» Renovation of 6 tennis courts
» Renovation of ball fields 3 & 4
» Security Fencing
» Backstops
» Covered Dugouts
» Player Benches
» Upgraded walking and bike paths
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THE YEAR IN PARKS
From vibrant gardens to peaceful trails, habitats for wildlife,
active recreational facilities, and a backdrop for nature
lovers, our 24 District parks are in excellent condition. Our
Park Maintenance Team consists of 10 full time staff plus 8
part-time and seasonal employees.
2015/2016 PLANTINGS
TINGS
65 Trees
DIVERSITY OF TREES
In the late summer and fall of 2015, 34 new trees were
planted, twelve of which are new varieties and two of which
are new species for our parks. Our existing inventory of trees
is overplanted with Austrian Pines and Maple trees. The plan
is to put a hold on planting any more Maples for the next 5-7
years and to introduce as many new species and varieties of
trees as possible. The goal is to have no more than 5% of
one species in our urban forest.
50 Perennials
rennials
18 Shrubs
TREE & BENCH DONATION PROGRAM
Austrian Pines will no longer be planted; evergreens that are
disease resistant and more adapted to our environmental
conditions will be planted. Trees will be replanted with proper
spacing to ensure establishment and longevity.
PARK PRIDE PROGRAM
Donate a tree or park bench in honor or
in memory of someone special in your life!
The District offers thirty species of trees to choose from,
in addition to an attractive park bench. Donations can
be placed in any District park of your choice and can be
personalized with a bronze plaque, all at cost to you.
Currently, memorial benches for Century Park have been
suspended, as we have run out of space for benches.
Tree donations are still available. Following the future
development of the old Opa restaurant site, bench
donations may resume.
In April 2016, eight staff members from Lifeline Vascular
Access volunteered their time to help our Parks Team clear
a section of Big Bear Lake’s shoreline at Century Park. The
stretch of shore line had been overtaken by undesirable trees
and shrubs that blocked the view of the lake in that area.
FISCAL 2015/2016 DONATIONS
3 Trees Donated
3 Benches Donated
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AGENCY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Moody’s Bond Rating changed from A2 to Aa2.
Began a $6 million renovation and expansion
of Sullivan Community Center in May 2016.
The Deerpath Park Master Plan was
completed. It includes Kids’ Castle
Playground,
tennis
courts,
ballfield
enhancements, and pathway and parking lot
improvements.
Adopted 2015-2019 Strategic Plan
Purchased the former Opa restaurant site, in
cooperation with the Village of Vernon Hills.
A park development is planned for late 2017.
This park will be an expansion of Century
Park.
ILLINOIS DISTINGUISHED
ACCREDITED AGENCY
The Illinois Association of Park
Districts and the Illinois Park and
Recreation Association recognizes the
Vernon Hills Park District as an Illinois
Distinguished Park & Recreation
Accredited Agency.
The District
has met the highest standards in
operations, programs, maintenance,
and parks/facilities.
The District received the Government Finance
Officer’s Association (GFOA) certificate for
the 21st year.
The Hawthorn School District 73 Afterschool
Program had a great first year!
SULLIVAN COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE
PARDON OUR DUST!
Construction of Sullivan Community Center has commenced.
This renovation project will expand program and staff space.
It is scheduled to be completed in Spring, 2017.
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NEW
GYMNASIUM
135
7002 SF
STORAGE &
MECHANICAL
31
ELEC
54
STOR
138
893 SF
LOBBY
134
647 SF
UPDATES INCLUDE:
CLOSET
33
CUSTODIAL
32
STAGE
18
» A new 8,000 square foot
gymnasium at the northeast
corner of the building.
DANCE
34
CORRIDOR
29
CORRIDOR
25
GYMNASIUM
26
MULTI-PURPOSE
17
STOR
19
TLT
20
PROGRAM
ROOM
35
MULTI-PURPOSE
16
TLT
21
MEN'S
LOCKER
ROOM
36-37
STOR
39
STOR
28
STORAGE
27
STOR
03
MULTI-PURPOSE
14
KITCHEN
22
MULTI-PURPOSE
13
MEN'S TOILET
38
LOBBY
02
2717 SF
JC
24
STOR
23
TLT
15
WOMEN'S
TOILET ROOM
40
GENERAL
OFFICE (AMY)
49
234 SF
WOMEN'S
LOCKER
ROOM
41-42
STOR
131
97 SF
CL
147
9 SF
I.T.
146
38 SF
WORK ROOM
50
CLERICAL
141
106 SF
KITCHEN
43
251 SF
OFFICE
133
106 SF
OFFICE
132
118 SF
OFFICE
(JESS)
48
CORRIDOR
143
275 SF
OFFICE
(MARLA)
44
OFFICE
45
OFFICE
46
OFFICE (JEFF)
47
OFFICE
127
143 SF
BOARD/
CONFERENCE
ROOM
129
855 SF
OPEN OFFICE
119
328 SF
OPEN OFFICE
140
473 SF
OFFICE
122
148 SF
OFFICE
121
149 SF
BREAK ROOM
118
170 SF
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LOBBY
102
1059 SF
RECEPTION
145
224 SF
WORK ROOM
139
237 SF
OFFICE
(KATHY)
144
169 SF
PRESCHOOL
OFFICE
117
153 SF
CORRIDOR
120
357 SF
OFFICE
126
207 SF
OFFICE
125
144 SF
OFFICE
124
144 SF
OFFICE
123
145 SF
PRESCHOOL
ROOM 3
107
901 SF
PRESCHOOL
ROOM 1
112
901 SF
TLT
113
51 SF
TLT
116
51 SF
STOR
106
152 SF
TEACHER
109
152 SF
VEST
104
65 SF
6
TLT
111
51 SF
PRESCHOOL
ROOM 4
110
896 SF
PRESCHOOL
ROOM 2
115
896 SF
» New staff offices to
» A new 4,000 square foot
accommodate the
state-of-the-art preschool wing
Administrative staff currently
» Four new preschool rooms on
housed in the Laschen
the south side of the building.
Community Center.
Existing preschool rooms will
be demolished.
CORRIDOR
103
496 SF
TLT
108
51 SF
» A new main entry at the east
side of the building (adjacent
to the main parking lot).
» The preschool playground will
be enclosed with a decorative
fence/wall.
» The south drop off lane will
be removed.
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT
Communication systems are in place to share our stories and receive feedback from the community. We look forward to
hearing from you and continuing to improve our programs, facilities, and recreational experiences.
REC-CONNECT
PARK PATHS
WEBSITE
Emails are sent to a participant base
based on programs that are offered
through the District’s registration
software, Rec Trac. Participants are
selected by gender, age, and previous
program registration at the Park
District.
An Email newsletter is sent to a
subscriber list of 10,100 through
Constant Contact. Monthly newsletters
provide event information, program
details, and District news.
The District utilizes reports from Google
Analytics to track website activity on a
monthly basis. Landing and Exit pages
are studied to reveal what the users’
interests are.
Avg. # of Recipients: 10,000
Average Open Rate (37%)
Nat’l Open Rate (24%)
June 1, 2015 - May 31, 2016
Avg. sessions per month: 13,411
Avg. page views per month: 34,359
Avg. new visitors per month: 48%
Avg. users per month: 7,304
PARK POINTERS
A monthly newsletter distributed to
students in grades K-5 who attend
the Hawthorn Elementary Schools.
The newsletter is also posted on the
Mundelein District 75 website.
This type of email is also used to
communicate with participants about
details of a particular program they
have registered to take.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook Fans: 1,800
Twitter Followers: 175
Instagram Followers: 91
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Vernon Hills Park District is on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube! Stay upto-date on what is happening at the Park
District, and share your photos and stories
with us! We would love to hear from you.
#VHParks
Also note that Park Board meetings are
posted on our website utilizing YouTube.
VHPARKDISTRICT.ORG
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Vernon Hills Park District Mission Statement
To promote diverse community based recreational opportunities by providing a variety of programs,
services, facilities, and natural spaces to enhance the quality of life for our residents.
Vision Statement
Addressing the lifelong leisure needs of all Vernon Hills residents.
CELEBRATING SPECIAL EVENTS
Winter Fest
January
Kids Fishing Day
June
Worldwide Day of Play
September
Just The Two of Us
February
Family Campout
June
Fall Fest
October
Ski/Snowboard Trip
February
Movie in the Park
June
Trunks, Trucks, Treats
October
Craft Beer Tasting
February
July 4 Parade
July
Pumpkin Launch
November
Hoppin’ Holiday Hunt
March
Movie in the Park
July
Recycle-O-Rama
November
Preschool Open House
March
Movie in the Park
August
Polar Express
December
Loop the Lakes 5K
April
Summer Splash
August
Family Kite Fly
April
Little Bear Ribfest
August
Dance Recitals
May
Might Kids’ Triathlon
May
VISIT VHPARKDISTRICT.ORG FOR DETAILS.