As local governments find it increasingly more difficult to operate under the present tax cap legislation that was passed last year in the collar counties, it becomes apparent that intergovernmental agreements will become more and more commonplace as a means to cut costs and survive. Many local taxing bodies — such as park districts, school districts and municipalities — are joining forces to provide facilities and services to their residents at reduced costs in order to trim their budgets while at the same time offering high levels of necessary service.

The Woodridge Park District has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with both the Village of Woodridge as and School District #68. These agreements are all designed for similar purposes: to provide maximum service to the residents while lessening the cost to a single taxing body and, at the same time, better utilizing equipment and facilities.

Agreements with the Village of Woodridge include a chipping program, snow removal, mowing, sharing of equipment and joint fuel purchases. Last year when yard waste was outlawed in the landfills, the park district provided a site. A chipper was jointly purchased, and personnel from both agencies were utilized on selected weekends to provide the residents a place to drop off their branches at no cost. This has resulted in less "moonlight dumping" at park sites that would have to be removed by park personnel and has also provided mulching material that is used for walkways at special events. Residents are also encouraged to remove the chips for home landscape use.

Although park district personnel are not directly involved in snow removal from public roadways, they do serve in a backup role if the village staff is called out for a protracted length of time. Mowing is done for the village by the park district on a contractual basis to avoid duplicity in purchasing equipment. Fuel for park and village vehicles is purchased by the village and billed to the park district as needed.

School District #68 also plays a large role in the park district's desire to provide quality park and recreational services to residents. All school property is mowed and maintained, playground equipment is furnished, installed and maintained, and ball diamonds are also constructed and maintained by the park district. In return, the school district provides space for programs, open gym and other needs that the park district may have.

Recently, a parcel of property surrounded on three sides by a park site was purchased to add to the existing site. A single family home on the site was included in the purchase, although at this time it is of no use to the park district. The overriding decision to buy the parcel was made to secure the land for much needed soccer facilities and for future expansion of the existing park site. The Woodridge Park District offered the house to other taxing bodies at no cost for their use, and the offer was accepted by School District #68. In order to provide additional classroom space at one of their six elementary schools, they decided to move their administrative offices into the vacant house and convert the office space in the school to classroom facilities. The park district was happy to do this in order to prevent vandalism to the home, as well as to see it put to a good use. The school district will remodel the house to their specifications at their cost while the park district will maintain the grounds as it does at the other school sites. Once again, this joint venture will result in considerable savings to the taxpayers as no new classrooms will have to be added to the school and modem administrative offices will be available in the home.

These are just a few examples of government bodies working together for the benefit of the taxpayers. Agreements such as these allow taxing bodies to provide more and better services at far lower costs than would be possible if each district worked independently. Let's all work together to keep costs down while services remain at an all-time high.

About the Author
Fred Hohnke serves as Vice President of the Woodridge Park District Board of Commissioners. He is also the co-chair of the IAPD/IPRA Joint Publications Committee and serves on the IAPD Board of Directors.

Illinois Parks and Recreation - 9 - November/December 1993