Monday, October 18, 2010

October Meeting: Paddle Vote and 2011 Budget

The agenda and packet for the Glen Ellyn Park District October 19, 2010 meeting are online. This is a regular meeting.

The Board will most likely vote on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. The current legal agreement allows the private platform tennis club to sell liquor at Maryknoll Park on the three nights a week that they have exclusive use of the party room. This project will cost the Glen Ellyn Park District $200,000 to construct.

The Board will also continue to discuss the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.

Glen Ellyn Park District board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

UPDATE: Glen Ellyn Park District overbudget; no financial reporting reform

The Board learned at the October 5 meeting that our 2010 budget is projected to be overspent by $600,000. Staff could not fully account for the overspending or explain why this money was spent without Board approval. The figures revealing the overspending were buried in our Proposed 2011 Budget information (not available online). The Board was not aware of the problem until I questioned staff at the meeting.

The Board only receives detailed budget or projected spending information once a year- when we discuss the next year's budget. At our September 21 meeting the Board voted down my proposed financial reporting reforms in a 4-3 vote. My motion would have required quarterly detailed budget reports to the Board.

The financial reform motion would have also required that:
  • the vendor name be listed for all voucher requests. GEPD voucher lists for payment require Board approval each month but all payments charged to our credit card show the name of the credit card rather than the name of the vendor to which the payment was made. We typically charge over $30,000 to the credit card each month. The only way to figure the name of the vendor is to call the finance director. The Board voted not to receive this information.
  • whenever any unexpected financial activity occurs, such as funds that are over budget or revenues or expenses are charged to an incorrect account, the Board will receive notification. The Board voted not to receive this information.
  • our monthly budget reports show expenditures and revenues for the month, as currently provided, and also the total amount of money available in the fund. The Board voted to not receive this information.

Monday, October 4, 2010

October Meeting: Paddle and 2011 Budget

The agenda and packet for the October 5, 2010 meeting are online. This is a workshop meeting.

The Board will continue discussion on whether to approve the $350,000 party room and court expansion for platform tennis. Platform tennis is now requiring that the GEPD acquire a liquor license for the party room as part of this project. This project will cost the GEPD $200,000 to construct.

The Board will also begin discussion of the proposed 2011 budget, which is not available online.

Board meetings are always open to the public and are held in the board room at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center at 7:00 p.m. Please join us!