2023 Popular Annual Financial Report
Popular Annual Financial Report
Northbrook Park District is pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
This document is designed to provide a brief overview of the Northbrook Park District’s financial operations and details pertaining to Fiscal Year 2023.
The PAFR summarizes the District’s financial activities primarily gathered from the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2023. The ACFR is prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and was audited by Lauterbach & Amen, LLP. The auditor’s opinion stated that the financial information and statements are accurately and fairly presented. The ACFR is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
The financial information in this PAFR is a summary of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and is not intended to replace the full disclosure financial statements of the ACFR which is available online at nbparks.org and can be viewed at the Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
Our Mission
To enhance our community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.
Our Vision
To be recognized as a national leader in delivering innovative park and recreation services based on responsiveness, trust and accountability to our community.
Mary Ann Chambers
David Silverman Chris Leiner Executive Director
Beverly Kumar
Lisa Chalem President
Michael Schyman
Edward Chao
Michael Goodman Vice President
About Northbrook Park District
Total Population
Established
The Northbrook Park District was established on June 29, 1927 with a budget appropriation of $1,800 for Fiscal Year 1927.
Governance
Age Distribution
Race/Ethnicity
Northbrook Income Distribution
A seven-member, elected Board of Commissioners establishes Park District policy, strategic direction and governing ordinances. Commissioners are elected to staggered, four-year terms and serve without compensation.
Staff
The Park District has an appointed Executive Director responsible to the Board of Commissioners for the administration of the District. The Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget included funding for 80 full-time positions. Throughout the year the District also employs roughly 550 part-time, seasonal and temporary employees and hundreds of volunteers in four budgetary areas: Administrative, Parks and Properties, Golf Operations and Recreation.
Population
According to the 2020 Census, the population of Northbrook is approximately 34,058.
Demographics
The District serves a highly educated, professional community of homeowners with an estimated median household income of $134,516 and a median age of about 50.9 years (2020 Census).
Notes:
In 2020, 3% of the Northbrook population identified as Hispanic or Latino which refers to a place or origin and is not considered race so it is reported separately.
2025 numbers are projections from the Park District’s 2021 CMP update.
Sources: Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Business Analyst Online (BAO) software, 2020 US Census, 2021 Northbrook Park District Comprehensive Master Plan Update.
Challenges in 2023
Residual Pandemic Challenges
The after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still felt during 2023. The Park District actively manages a strategy to navigate through these continuing challenges. Despite facing issues such as staffing shortages, increased expenses, fluctuating program participation and a lack of federal funding support, the Park District remains committed to overcoming these obstacles and continuing to provide outstanding parks and recreational services. This strategic approach is crucial for sustaining operations and ensuring the Park District’s resilience in the face of the pandemic’s lingering impacts.
Increased Costs
As various industries face ongoing cost challenges, the Park District has observed higher than normal increases in Consumer Price Index (CPI) which has led to inflationary pressures on wages, supplies and utility expenses. This trend underscores the broader financial challenges faced by communities in managing recreational services and infrastructure development.
Staffing Challenges
Several employment issues came to the forefront in 2023 including the need to continue the replacement of the workforce that was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising wage issues caused by a highly competitive market and an increase in the state mandated minimum wage.
To meet this challenge, the Park District conducted two marketing campaigns for the positions with the largest need.
• The Join Our Crew campaign for seasonal grounds crew members resulted in 18 new 40-hour per week hires and a crew that was fully staffed for the first time in years. Savings were realized through lowered hourly rates from $44 for outside contractors utilized during the hiring drought to an average hourly rate of $18.50 for in-house crew members.
• The Join the Adventure campaign, first launched in 2022, was again conducted in 2023 to meet the growing need for staff members for Adventure Campus, the Park District’s Before and After School Care program. The hiring campaign was once again successful, with 42 Adventure Campus staff hired to serve 509 school-aged children.
Infrastructure Challenges
Another challenge faced by the Park District in 2023 included an aging playground infrastructure. Playgrounds have a life expectancy of 1520 years. At the end of 2022, 10 of the Park District’s 18 playgrounds were in the last quartile of useful life, with four of the playgrounds over 20 years old. To address this issue, a comprehensive playground replacement schedule was developed with three playground replacements in 2023 including Countryside Park, Oaklane Park and Stonegate Park. Planning, including design based on community input, was conducted in 2023 for three additional playground renovations including Williamsburg Square Park, Greenfield Park and the Wescott Park tot lot. Following this planning process, these playgrounds are included in the Capital Improvement Plan for construction in 2024.
Service Area Challenges
Another challenge faced by the Park District for many years has been the landlocked nature of North Shore communities. It is rare for tracts of land large enough to be suitable for development of parks and recreational services and facilities to become available in Northbrook. In 2023 a unique opportunity arose at the former Green Acres Country Club property. A developer was working with the Village of Northbrook to create a senior living facility that could also include a playground and walking paths for the community as a whole. Staff members performed site visits to determine the suitability of the land as this location would help provide service to an under-resourced area of the community as identified through the 2021 Comprehensive Master Plan update. While the developer did not advance this proposal, the Board of Commissioners and staff continue to seek land opportunities within Northbrook in order to most equitably provide expanded recreational services, facilities and open space to the community.
2023 Accomplishments
Guided by our Mission of environmental, social and financial stewardship, the Park District is proud of our accomplishments in 2023.
Audubon International
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program – Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Wood Oaks Green Park
Chicago Golf Report
• #3 Public Golf Course Clubhouses – Chicago Golf Report Top 10 Public Golf Course Clubhouses
Golf Range Association of America
• Top 50 Public Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Top 100 “Growth of the Game” Teaching Professional – Michael Wenzel
Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)
Best of the Best Awards
• Arts in the Park
• Best Green Practices
Illinois Park and Recreation Association
(IPRA) Awards
• Molly Hamer – Professional of the Year
IPRA Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
• Overall Agency Showcase – 2nd place
• Marketing Campaign, Paid Advertisement and Video Long Form – 1st place
• People’s Choice Award for showcase display – 1st place
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Northbrook Park District has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada each year since 2000. The award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting. The budget document is judged as a policy document, operations guide, financial plan and communications device.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Northbrook Park District has been recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada each year since 1993. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting.
The Financial Process
Comprehensive Master Plan Action Plan
In 2016, Northbrook Park District developed a Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP), shaped by the community, to guide facility and program development decisions for ten years.
In 2021, the Park District developed a five-year CMP Update to the plan. Utilizing extensive community input, six goals were identified and developed to help drive the District’s future. The strategies to support each goal are included in a comprehensive five-year Action Plan that is reviewed annually.
The 2021 CMP Update was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on March 30, 2022.
The Action Plan outlines the steps and potential timeline for implementing the six CMP goals and their associated strategies as determined through workshops with staff and the Park District’s Board of Commissioners.
The Action Plan is reviewed and revised annually to meet the identified priorities of the Park District.
Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is the Park District’s forecast of administrative, facility and golf projects for the fiscal year. This includes the repair and replacement of existing equipment and vehicles.
The CIP is developed using the Goals, Strategies and Action Plan from the 2021 CMP Update to determine project ranking and prioritization.
The CIP is included with the Annual Budget for consideration and approval by the Board of Commissioners.
All documents listed here can be viewed at nbparks. org/plans-and-reports or at the Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
Annual Budget Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
The Park District’s annual operating budget for each fiscal year is presented to the Board of Commissioners for review. The budget reflects the Park District’s comprehensive financial plan to provide parks, facilities and programs to residents and participants during the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget includes general information, financial analysis on a consolidated and divisional basis, and supplemental information including the CIP.
An Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) of the Park District is conducted annually following Chapter 70, Section 1205, of the Illinois Compiled Statutes requiring that park districts secure a licensed public accountant to perform an annual audit of the financial statements. The independent audit firm of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, performed this audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Comprehensive Master Plan Goals
(2021 CMP Update)
Goal 1: Indoor Assets
Address existing indoor assets and recreation facility needs.
Goal 2: Outdoor Assets
Maintain and update existing outdoor recreation assets to provide quality parks, trails and outdoor facilities.
Goal 3: Acquisition & Development
Address park and open space level of service gaps and distribution deficiencies.
Goal 4: Program Strategies
Evaluate and adjust programs and marketing methods to provide highquality offerings that meet community needs.
Goal 5: Community Outreach
Build support, trust, communication and awareness within the community.
Goal 6: District Responsibility
Conduct operations with fiscal responsibility to maintain quality parks, facilities and services in a sustainable fashion, including continued development and partnership opportunities.
Financial Information
Fiscal Year Budget
The Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget represented 12 months of activity beginning January 1, 2023 and concluding December 31, 2023, including a total 2023 budget of $28.3 million, an Operating Budget of $19.4 million, a Capital Improvement and Repair Budget of $6.5 million and a Debt Service Budget of $2.4 million.
Balanced Budget Approach
Park District policy requires the adoption of a balanced Operating Budget. Under normal conditions, operating expenditures are less than real estate taxes (excluding Debt Service) and fees for services. Any surplus from operations (General and Recreation Funds) is used to fund capital improvement needs. A deficit total budget would result only from discretionary spending approved by the Board of Commissioners for capital improvements. Larger capital initiatives are presented to the community in the form of separate public input meetings and include information on project funding.
Equalized Assessed Value
The 2022 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of Northbrook Park District real estate was $3,204,280,347.
Tax Rate
The 2022 tax rate was $0.416 per $100 of assessed value, representing 5.6% of an average real estate tax bill.
Debt Rating
The Park District reviews its existing obligation structure, current and projected surplus from operations, and future liability levels before making decisions to issue new debt.
Northbrook was the first park district in Illinois to earn a Moody’s Aaa rating, which reflects the Park District’s financial obligations are judged to be of the highest quality. In February 2022, Moody’s Investors Service reviewed and assigned a rating of Aaa to the Park District’s most recently issued General Obligation limited Tax Park Bonds, Series 2022.
Long Term – Non-referendum Debt Total by Year
Alternative Revenue Sources
2023 Grants
Northbrook Theatre
$9,600 – General Operating Support Grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA)
Williamsburg Square Park
$600,000 – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Community Partnerships
Northbrook Bank & Trust Company, N. A., A Wintrust Community Bank
As part of the annual budgeting and planning process, Northbrook Park District incorporates alternative revenue sources through strategic sponsorship and advertising opportunities. An exciting five year partnership with Northbrook Bank & Trust started in 2021 provides a total of $150,000 of support for the Park District.
With similar service missions, we are grateful for this support which helps fund the Park District’s scholarship program as well as several large community events including races, free summer concerts and community festivals that allow thousands of people to enjoy a sense of community in our parks, facilities, events and programs.
Providing Recreational Opportunities
Scholarship Program
Northbrook Park District believes everyone should have the opportunity to participate in recreation programs and therefore administers a Scholarship Program. Park District staff members work with Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook and other outside agencies to identify the need for financial assistance, considering income along with identified special circumstances.
Northbrook residents who meet the criteria can receive financial assistance for recreation programs and memberships. Scholarships are available for all ages on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. An annual application form is required. Those in need of financial assistance should visit nbparks.org/scholarship or call 847-291-2995.
Professional Collaboration
In order to best serve the community, Northbrook Park District collaborates with other professionals in the field of parks and recreation on a regular basis. The Park District is a member of the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
How Your Park District is Funded
• For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, revenues from government funds were $28,830,897 compared to $25,093,978 in 2022. The Cash and Investment was $27,712,591, as seen on the Balance Sheet – Governmental Funds.
• Taxes are the Park District’s largest revenue source at $13,163,436 or 45.7% of the total revenue. Property taxes are levied annually by ordinance and adopted by the Board of Commissioners each December.
• Comprising 45.7% of total revenue in Fiscal Year 2023, Charges for Services are the largest nontax revenue source for the Park District. Total Charges for Services were $12,886,713 in 2023, up $2,540,912 over the previous year. The Retail Sales category includes golf merchandise and ticket sales while Facility Rentals encompasses rentals of golf cars and carts, fields, shelters, and facility rooms. The largest of the three categories, Recreation and Golf Activity, includes program fees, golf fees, driving range, fitness memberships, freestyle ice and recreational daily fees among other items.
The revenue totals in the pie chart below are sourced from pages 34–35 of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The total revenue listed is for Governmental Funds Totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds.
Revenues $28,830,897
Revenue has risen steadily over the last three years, with strong increases in 2022 and 2023 driven by growth in recreation programming following COVID-19 participation impacts experienced in 2021.
How Your Park District Allocates Funding
The majority of funds are invested in general administration, recreation facilities, programs, parks, safety and security, maintenance, capital repair and replacement that directly impact citizens and the community.
• For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, expenditures represented $27,371,374 compared to $21,453,379 in 2022.
• As of December 31, 2023, $13,675,000 is outstanding debt on General Obligation Bonds.
• Capital Outlay represents $5,375,850 or 19.6% of total expenses. The Capital Outlay spending continues to support the Goals, Strategies and Action Plan identified in the 2021 CMP Update.
The expense totals in the pie chart below are sourced from pages 34–35 of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The total expense listed is for Governmental Funds Totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds.
Total expenses in 2021 included capital outlay of $10M for renovation projects, followed by a decrease in capital expenses to $3M in the subsequent year, leading to a reduction in total expenses in 2022. Total expenses rose higher in 2023 with increases in salary and program expenses and with capital outlay growth to $5.3M.
$27,371,374
Northbrook Park District Community Impact
Community Cooperation
In addition to our own programs, the Park District works cooperatively with a variety of athletic affiliates to provide recreational opportunities to the community. These affiliates include Northbrook Baseball, Northbrook Cycle Committee, Northbrook Girls Softball Association, Northbrook Hockey League, Northbrook Speed Skating Club, Spartan FC and Teams Elite. In an effort to provide cooperative events and programs for the community, the Park District also collaborates with many local governmental entities including Glenbrook High School District 225, Northbrook Police Department, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook School District 27, Northbrook School District 28, Northbrook/ Glenview School District 30, Village of Northbrook and West Northfield School District 31.
The Park District is affiliated with the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) to provide recreational activities and services for residents with special needs.
