As Corona Virus Crisis Unfolds Cook County Forest Preserve District Faces Fiscal Uncertainty

Cook County Forest Preserve District Board Meeting - April 23, 2020

What did the Board decide?

• They will have virtual meetings in May and June (as was this April meeting).
• The Board passed a number of consent agenda items which were not controversial.  

Committee and Other Reports:

• There were no Committee Reports, and no Public Testimony.
  
• CFO Steve Hughes reported that the Forest Preserves District is in a good cash flow position right now, since property taxes for spring just came in, but with all events cancelled and rescheduling or refunds in place, a significant decline in revenues is expected, perhaps 7-11% ($4.5 to 7 million) for the year.  
  
• Superintendent Randall noted staff is working from home as much as possible and that a hiring freeze has been put in place.  Nature Centers are closed, but at the same time there is an unprecedented uptick in the number of visitors to the Forest Preserves.  Many Commissioners noted that they were able to go enjoy the Preserves more than usual in their lives and were pleased with what they found.  
  
• Superintendent Randall also said that they will be following the Department of Public Health guidance and likely to close more parts of the Forest Preserves if too many people gather.  (More closures were announced on April 24). 

Items to Watch for in the Future:

• Revenues will continue to be a concern.   

​Observed by: Henrietta Saunders                          Meeting Length: 1 hour