MWRD Board Discusses Proposed State of Illinois Legislation Program for 2020

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
February 6, 2020

Primary Topic Discussed:
State of Illinois 2020 Legislation Program (Agenda Item 20-0053)

Legislative Initiative #1 of State of Illinois 2020 Legislation Program was unanimously approved. This will amend the District’s act to allow the Board of Commissioners to transfer excess revenue from any source legally available to the pension fund. Currently, there is only statutory authority to transfer property tax and interest income. An example would be if TIF surplus funds were redistributed. These could be transferred to the pension fund. The initiative would provide the Board with flexibility in utilizing excess revenue. A two thirds vote would be required for such action.

Legislative Initiative #2 - was separated from the original agenda item. This initiative would amend the District Act to extend the right to vote for the Board of Commissioners to all registered voters in Cook County. Currently, only voters within the corporate boundaries of the District have this right.  The District has legislative authority for stormwater management throughout Cook County.  Rationale: to bring the District political boundaries into line.

• Commissioner Shore stated that this is a fairness issue for voters outside corporate boundaries. In the past grants have been rejected because residents were not within the district boundaries. There is no relationship between voting and paying taxes. All have a right to services. 
• Commissioners all expressed general support for the initiative but had questions to be answered before they could feel confident in voting. Commissioner McGowan asked for a specific list of the municipalities affected.  There will be a study session on February 20 at which questions regarding the initiative can be addressed. The deadline for all bills to be out of committee is March 27, 2020. 
• The motion to divide the two legislative initiatives was approved unanimously.

Commissioner Garcia (in absentia) requested a weekly legislative report while the General Assembly is in session.

Other Board Activity:
The MWRD Executive Director gave the quarterly report for the Retirement Fund. (Agenda Item 20-0126)

• He was gratified to report that 30% of the firms working with the fund are owned by women and/or minorities. 
• There is a net operating deficit because contributions do not cover payouts. Longer-lived pensioners, while a positive, bring funding challenges.
  
• Returns on investments must fill this gap.

An Ordinance directing the County Clerk to reduce levy of taxes on Capital Improvement Bonds for levy year 2019 was approved with 8 ayes; 0 nays

New business:

• Commissioner Davis reported feedback from his constituents regarding ethics ordinances. They requested thirty days for public comments on all ordinances.

Observer - Georgia Gebhardt                       Meeting Length: 2 hours