DCCA's TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

By JAY HEDGES, Director
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs

If something isn't broke, don't fix it. That's the old saw.

For many municipalities in Illinois, nothing is broke. But today we know that improving a good thing may be just as vital as fixing a broken one.

Your community may be proud to be collecting water rates that haven't increased since 1970, but your water system may not have been upgraded since then either. Or, like some communities, you may be subsidising the water department with money from the general fund instead of having a self-sufficient water system.

Help is available. The Office of Local Government Management Services of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) provides free help and information to local governments on a variety of subjects.

More than 90 percent of the state's 1,280 municipalities have less than 20,000 population and many do not have full-time staff members. Much of our department's assistance is directed to these communities, but any city or village can benefit from updating and streamlining its operations.

The Office of Local Government Management Services can help communities review water user charges to ensure they are sufficient to meet the full cost of providing the service. If rates are inadequate, usually the first area to be cut back is the proper maintenance of the facility. Without adequate maintenance, facilities may rapidly deteriorate resulting in even greater long-term expenses. By projecting total revenues derived from different rate structures, local officials can then choose a rate which yields sufficient revenue to maintain the system, meet expenses and debt service, and create reserves for future improvements.

Capital improvement plans and capital budgets can also be developed to help a community meet its infrastructure needs. The Office has developed a publication, Capital Improvement Planning and Budgeting —A Guide for Illinois Governments, to help local officials determine what their capital needs will be and how they can be addressed.

We can help determine the effect of general obligation and revenue bonds on property tax and user charges and make related calculations on total interest payments and annual debt service.

Financial management is another area in which we can help. We regularly advise local governments on sound budgeting procedures and accounting practices. We can recommend budget and monthly financial report formats and assist in establishing accounting systems appropriate to the size of the community and the sevices it provides. In addition, the Office has prepared the Financial Health Analysis Handbook for Illinois Municipalities to help local officials recognize 35 financial indicators. The indicators tell the municipality its financial strengths and weaknesses.

TEL-DCCA, our teltape information system, enables callers to hear more than 100 recorded messages with information on local government, business financing programs, and community-related topics. By calling the toll-free number, 1-800-TEL-DCCA, you can hear instructions on how to use the system. A brochure listing tape topics is also available through our department.

Each February, the Office compiles a report identifying legislation by key sponsor, bill number, public act number, and a narrative of intent and requirements. This report is mailed to every mayor and village president.

Cities which have taken steps to develop their economic climate may qualify for our Certified Cities Program. By documenting excellence in five major categories — business climate and service, community development, employment and training, financial assistance, and marketing — a city sends the message to the business community that it is seeking economic growth. Becoming a Certified City can help attract new businesses which are impressed by a city's leadership in economic development.

Although state and federal grant and loan programs have diminished in the past several years, a number of programs are still available. Information on eligibility, application procedures, and deadlines also is available from the Office.

Since the passage of the State Mandates Act in 1979, the Office has analyzed and prepared fiscal notes on the estimated costs of proposed legislation affecting local governments.

Our goal at the Office of Local Government Management Services is to help Illinois communities operate at peak efficiency. We can help you put your community in a better position to achieve and maintain its economic viability. We invite you to call upon us.

To learn more about any of the services of the department's Office of Local Government Management Services, contact the nearest DCCA office: Springfield, 217/782-5884; Marion, 618/997-4371 ext. 328; or Chicago, 312/917-6696. Or call our toll-free hotline number in Springfield 1-800-562-4688 (1-800-LOC-GOVT). •

Page 22 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1987