League of Women Voters of Cook County
  • Home
  • About
    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
      • Cook County Budget & Structure Group
      • Criminal Justice
      • Forest Preserve Interest Group
    • LWVCC Action and Testimony
    • LWVCC Activities
  • Observer Reports
    • Cook County Board Observer Reports
    • MWRD Board Observer Reports
    • Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports
    • CCH Board Observer Reports
  • Voter Info
  • Resources
    • Cook County Board
    • Forest Preserve Board
    • Cook County Elected Officials
    • MWRD Board
    • Cook County Health Board
    • Member Resources

MWRD Board Passes $1.2B Budget With No Discussion

12/20/2018

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting - December 13, 2018
                  Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget on December 6, 2018


By an 8-0 vote, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board took just 15 minutes to approve 11 items which resulted in a $1,203,988,541 budget for 2019.  This is $53 million more than 2018, or a 4.6% increase.  The property tax levy was raised to $643 million, an increase over 2018 of $20 million, or 3.3%.  There was no discussion.  (Commissioner Morita was absent.)

Next Step:  The Board will consider amendments to the 2019 budget at the December 20 meeting, at which time the 2019 budget will be finalized.

Relevant Comments from December 6 Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget
The 2019 Budget that was passed on December 13 included a number of changes from the Tentative Budget Recommendation by the MWRD Executive Director dated October 13, and additional changes from the 2019 Tentative Budget published on November 20 (which reflected amendments to the October 13 Executive Director’s Recommendation).

At the December 6 Public Hearing, the Civic Federation, while overall supportive of the proposed budget, pointed out how confusing and difficult it is to review and comment on this ever-changing budget.  The Civic Federation’s recommendation was that the final form of the budget that is to be considered by the Board should be published and made available to the public ahead of time.  This is particularly important, said the Civic Federation, because the version of the budget passed by the Board often includes significant increases in the total appropriations and property tax levy from those contained in the Executive Director’s original recommendation, as well as from the Tentative Budget.

In this case, the version passed by the Board on December 13 varied from both the October 13 and November 20 versions (which is the version the Civic Federation reviewed and commented on) in a number of ways, including:

                                          December 13               October 13                  November 20
Total Appropriations:    $1,203,988,541           $1,079,658,141                $1,092,299,141
Tax Levy:                       $   642,783,809          $  640,649,270              $   640,649,270

The Civic Federation also recommended that the MWRD analyze the effect on its pension funding and have fall-back plans in case the District’s pension reform law were to be successfully challenged.

Observer - Priscilla Mims
0 Comments

Water District Board Faces Questions About Lack of Insurance at Time of Calumet Explosion

12/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting  -  December 6, 2018

This was the first Board meeting attended by the 3 new Board members elected in November:  Cameron Davis, Kimberly DuBuclet, and Marcelino Garcia.  All actively took part in the meeting, which was notable more for the discussion that occurred, than for the decisions made.


Issue of Property Insurance

  • During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Michael Archey raised concerns about the timing and process followed by the District regarding the Purchase Order for Furnishing Property Insurance Coverage (Item 18: #18-1234) and said he would welcome the opportunity to speak more on this issue if invited by the Commissioners.  Commissioner Davis did invite him to so speak when the item was being considered.  Mr. Archey said that a prior Purchase Order for greater coverage (with a lower deductible and a higher premium) had been presented to the Board first at the June 21 meeting where it was deferred.  The Board then unanimously voted to delete this item at the July 12 meeting (Item 28:  #18-0560).  While the Board is self-insured, starting in 2013 the Board began purchasing “excess” coverage in the event of a catastrophic event.  As explained at the June 21 meeting, the Board has $30 million to cover losses, but has $11 billion in property assets.  
  • The prior property insurance policy expired on July 17, 2018.  The explosion at the Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, which injured workers and the plant, occurred on August 30 when no policy was in effect.
  • Mr. Archey said that the Board’s failure to timely enter into a new policy left taxpayers exposed to footing the bill for the costs associated with the Calumet explosion.  He urged that the Board look into the reasons for the delay in obtaining coverage and why the current proposal is better than the one in effect rejected (by virtue of the Board deleting the item) in July, even as he welcomed the Board approving this item to reduce future taxpayer exposure.
  • The Board did approve the new insurance policy with no further discussion.  Question:  should/will the Board follow-up on the issues raised by Mr. Archey?

MBE/WBE Paricipation
  • Commissioner Garcia made clear that one of his primary focuses will be on increasing the use of Minority and Women Owned/Run Business Enterprises (“MBE/WBE”) in contracts and purchase orders at the MWRD.  Accordingly, Commissioner Garcia inquired about participation by MBE/WBE with all contracts and purchase orders presented for approval by the Board.  He questioned whether the District could become more creative in seeking such participation.  
  • All such contracts and purchase orders were ultimately approved as presented, but expect to hear more about this in the future.  

Award to Chicago Tribune
  • Ultimately, the Board approved using the Chicago Tribune for publishing legal notices and invitations to bid for a one-year period beginning January 1, 2019 for $56,000.  The Sun-Times, the low bidder by $1,400, was disqualified because the paper did not have a minimum daily circulation of 100,000 as set by the request for proposal (“RFP”).  (Other, much higher, bids were from the Lawndale New Group for $196,000 and from the Chicago Defender Newspaper for $227,500.) During the discussion, the Commissioners expressed concern that this requirement (which is there to ensure wide circulation) currently results in only the Tribune being qualified to win such an RFP.  The Sun-Times misses the threshold by 407.  The Tribune has a circulation of over 400,000.  
  • Staff did say that the District uses other outlets, including online services, to get the word out about employment and contract opportunities.  The Commissioners asked for a list of such online sites and other publications being used and will provide a list of others that the Commissioners think the Staff should consider.  In addition, the Staff is to provide information on the history of the circulation requirement and the circulations of publications.  
  • Commissioner McGowan lifted her request for deferral of awarding this contract because the Board did not have the ability to change the circulation requirement for this RFP that had been previously approved to be issued.  Thus the award was approved.  (Item 24:  18-1254)

Observer - Priscila Mims  
​                       Length of meeting:  2 hours, 5 minutes, including a 5-minute break and 25-minute Executive Session.
0 Comments

MWRD Budget Committee Hears Departmental Presentations on 2019 Proposed Budget of $1.092 Billion

12/6/2018

0 Comments

 
Metropolitan Water & Reclamation District Committee on Budget & Employment
Departmental Presentations for 2019 Budget - November 1, 2018


Acting Executive Director John Murray gave an overview of the proposed 2019 budget:
  • $1.092 budget is 5.1% less than in 2018, but would include a 3.1% increase in the property tax levy over 2018
  • Decrease in overall budget due to the timing of capital projects and payments
  • 2019 emphasis on maintenance
  • 2019 includes large (39.4%) increase to storm water management function over 2018, including transfers of employees from other areas
  • Controlling energy costs (basically flat and projected over the next 5 years) touted
  • Continued appropriations for Retirement Fund to increase funded ratio (as of Dec. 31, 2017 was 58.3%)

Each Department Head gave a short presentation of 2018 accomplishments and plans for 2019.
  • Brian Perkovich, Acting Director of Maintenance & Operations
  • Catherine A. O’Connor, Director of Engineering
  • Edward W. Podczenwinski, Director of Monitoring & Research
  • Jacqueline Torres, Clerk/Director of Finance
  • Susan T. Morakalis, General Counseil
  • Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement & Materials Management
  • General Administration:  
    • Eileen M. McElligott, Administrative Services Officer
    • Regina D. Berry, Diversity Adminstrator
    • Allison Fore, Public and Intergovernmental Affairs Officer
  • John H. Sudduth, Director of Information Technology
  • Beverly K. Sanders, Director of Human Resources
  • Board of Directors presented by Nicholas O’Connor, Administrative Aide to President and MaryAnn Boyle, Treasureer
  • Susan Boutin, Executive Director, MWRD Retirement Fund
This was the opportunity for MWRD Commissioners to ask questions.   There were only a few, the majority of which were by Commissioners Avila, Shore and Spyropolous.

​Next steps in the budget process:
  • Thursday, Dec. 6 at 2 pm:  Public Hearing
  • Thursday, Dec. 13 at 10:30 am:  Special Board Meeting to adopt budget
  • Thursday, Dec. 20 at 10:30 am:  Any final budget amendments to be adopted

Observer:  Priscilla Mims
0 Comments

    Author

    Individual authors are credited at the end of each report.

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    Affirmative Action Plan
    Bio Gas Production
    Bio-gas Production
    Bio Solids
    Bio-solids
    Bonds
    Budget
    Climate Action Plan
    Contracts
    Environmental Cleanup
    Ethics
    Flood Control
    Independent Inspector General MWRD
    Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
    MWRD
    Nutrient Trading
    Odor Control
    Pensions
    Prescription Drug Disposal
    Public Comments
    Rain Barrels
    Real Estate Issues
    Storm Water Management
    Taxes
    Tree Planting
    Water Quality
    Watershed Management

    RSS Feed

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF COOK COUNTY
332 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 634
Chicago, IL 60604

312/939-5935 
[email protected]
Terms and Conditions of Use
© Copyright League of Women Voters of Cook County, Illinois. All rights reserved.
Membership Information
CONTACT US
  • Home
  • About
    • LWVCC Interest Groups >
      • Cook County Budget & Structure Group
      • Criminal Justice
      • Forest Preserve Interest Group
    • LWVCC Action and Testimony
    • LWVCC Activities
  • Observer Reports
    • Cook County Board Observer Reports
    • MWRD Board Observer Reports
    • Forest Preserve Board Observer Reports
    • CCH Board Observer Reports
  • Voter Info
  • Resources
    • Cook County Board
    • Forest Preserve Board
    • Cook County Elected Officials
    • MWRD Board
    • Cook County Health Board
    • Member Resources