Intergovernmental Agreements:
Stretching the Tax Dollar

by Lonna L. Van Cleave

The growing number of older adults reminds leisure service professionals that the challenge to provide for residents in retirement years will continue well into the future. In Waukegan, the park district, township and city are meeting this challenge through an intergovernmental agreement which provides for the construction, operation and programming of a new senior center, scheduled to open in the summer of 1992.

A major goal of the intergovernmental agreement is to effectively utilize tax funding to create a new multi-purpose facility for the community's older adult population. A new facility was needed to centralize the area's many older adult services, recreation and educational programs.

A 20-member committee representing the three governmental bodies began its work in April of 1990, and devised a plan for the development of the center. The committee's progress was due to open communication and cooperation among the governmental partners that led to the agreement and ultimately the construction of the new center. The committee met regularly to establish the guidelines and develop the agreement. In January 1991, the agreement to fund and construct the building was approved by each governmental board.

A unique aspect of the 11,450 square-foot facility was the pivotal role the Waukegan Park District played in its development and planning. The township and city were actively seeking land for the new center when a lease of land in Belvidere Park was offered by the Waukegan Park District to the Waukegan Township for $1 a year. This offer would enable construction of the building without the high cost for land acquisition.

To further stretch the tax dollar it was also proposed to build the new facility as an addition to the park district's Belvidere Recreation Center, the land adjacent to it being unoccupied. The proposal to construct the center as a building addition was well received because the recreation center already housed many other park district programs. The Board of Commissioners approved the new senior center as an addition to the existing recreation center and construction began in August 1991.

With the transition of the Older Adult Program to the new senior center it was projected that the district would save approximately $10,000 on operating costs such as utilities, maintenance and personnel. Much of the budget savings were due to the relocation of the Older Adult Program from another facility to the new center. The relocation enabled the Waukegan Park District to convert the building's use to other revenue-generating purposes, such as increasing rental activity and expanding the district's museum operations. The relocation of the Older Adult Program was initiated well in advance of the new senior facility opening. The program was temporarily housed in the Belvidere Recreation Center while construction was being completed. The early transition allowed participants to become familiar with the new location and gave the recreation staff time to adjust to the organizational change. The relocation was a success, with a very smooth transition, due in part to early communication of the changes to both staff and program participants.

"The relocation of our Older Adult Program to the Belvidere Recreation Center was one of the most important steps the district made in the transition process," said Thomas J. Shuster, Waukegan Park District Executive Director. "The move made for a successful relocation of the programs well in advance of the construction completion."

The most important elements of the intergovernmental agreement are the availability and convenience of programs and services to the older adult population all under one roof. Programs and services offered include recreational, educational and fitness programs. Other services include a nutrition service with on-site and home-delivered meals coordinated through Catholic Charities, health screenings, income tax assistance, and an employment training and placement program. The new facility is staffed by Waukegan Township through a full-time building coordinator.

"The need was growing in the community to centralize the many wonderful programs geared to give service, support and recreation for our seniors," said President Corrine Rose, Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners. "By housing services under one roof the need to travel from location to location is eliminated, which also increases safety."

A major benefit to the Waukegan Park District is the ability to reduce its expenses of its Older Adult Program while increasing the opportunities and availability of programming to residents. The building addition also doubled the size of the existing recreation center.

"Everyone benefits when tax dollars are saved," said Rose, who is also a member of the Waukegan Township Senior Citizens Services Committee. "The senior center agreement in Waukegan is working proof that governmental agencies can work together to provide services and save tax dollars."

About the Author

Lonna Van Cleave is the Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator for the Waukegan Park District.