MWRD Board Meets with Departments Regarding Proposed 2020 Budget

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioners
Special Meeting of MWRD Committee on Budget and Employment
November 7, 2019

The Committee met to consider the Executive Director’s 2020 Budget Recommendations contained in the October 15 book, along with the proposed changes submitted by the Executive Director on October 30, 2019.  The initial recommendations and the changes may all be accessed at http://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx  and clicking on the “meeting details” for the entry for this Nov. 7 meeting.  The Recommendations as amended were accepted. 

Next Steps in Budget Process:

• Public Hearing on Dec. 5 at 2 pm
• Special Board Meeting on Dec. 12 at 10:30 am to consider further amendments and adopt budget
• Board Meeting on Dec. 19 at 10:30 am to consider any further, and final, amendments

Budget Overview (reflecting changes):

• Total proposed budget of $1.089 billion, a decrease of 10.9% from 2019.
• Total proposed tax levy is $652.6 million, an increase of 1.4% from 2019.
• Number of employees (Full Time Equivalents, or FTEs) are 1,953, down by 14 from 2019.

The Commissioners heard from representatives from each MWRD department who presented the overview of that department’s proposed and 2019 budget and employee count, the 2019 operational highlights, and the primary initiatives for 2020.  Their slide presentations may also be found at http://mwrd.legistar.com/calendar.aspx. Only a few of the Commissioners asked questions.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Maintenance & Operations will be issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for marketing and developing biosolids.  Plan to hire an outside firm rather than add staff because need to fine new outlets.  The changing weather that is bringing more rain increases the costs to the District.
• Engineering plans to review contract language and requirements to see if more bids for RFPs might be obtained to ensure the MWRD is getting the most favorable prices. 
• Stormwater Management averages only 37 days after submission to issue permits.  In 2020, the plans are to continue the Addison Creek Reservoir construction and award the Addison Creek Chanel Improvements project to reduce overbank flooding.  Commissioner Shore said she remains concerned that the MWRD has had problems spending all of the tax levy for the Stormwater Management Fund in past years, though it appears that that will be done in 2019.  She wonders if consideration should be given to contracting outside of the District if Staff cannot generate enough projects internally.
• The Monitoring and Research Department had a long list of accomplishments for 2019 and a number of new projects for 2020.  The Director explained that the employees are now organized by programs and projects, rather than particular specialties.  In the past, if you were in the soil area, you only worked on soil-related projects.  This new organization means they can work more efficiently and so will be able to eliminate 6 unfilled positions.
• The Law Department expects that the revised Ethics Ordinance will be ready before the end of 2019.  Commissioner Davis raised the idea of the Board hiring its own attorney.  The General Counsel responded that that could be done, but the Law Department’s client is the MWRD, and the Board is part of the MWRD.
• The General Administration Budget is up by $2.8 million over 2019; $2.4 million of which is proposed for a 2% increase in the salaries of non-union employees.  Low-flow toilets were installed in the main MWRD building in 2019.  Already in 2019 the prescription drug collection program has exceeded the number of pounds of drugs collected and disposed of in 2018.
• Public Affairs helped create a road show to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the MWRD, and has a new storybook for children called “Where Does My Poop Go?”!!!
• Commissioner Shore asked the Director of Information Technology whether there is a need for a Chief Information Security Officer.  Director Sudduth said that he is going to try to recruit someone who could help fill that role, but there is a great demand for qualified people in the private sector at higher salaries  He may also look to outside services.
• Human Resources has an RFP coming for a compensation and benefits study to be completed in 2020.  Commissioner Shore asked that the staff advise what the impact on the budget the parental leave policy has had.
• During 2020 the Commissioners and staff will embark on a new 5-year strategic plan.
• Commissioner Shore asked whether the MWRD should consider seeking legislation from Springfield that would permit the District to contribute larger amounts to the Pension Fund, particularly when the District has one-time revenues, such as the TIF-surplus that the City of Chicago is releasing to the MWRD and the other government entities.

Observer:  Priscilla Mims