Chicago Park District FY2007 Operating Budget Recommendations: Analysis and Recommendations

December 06, 2006

The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's FY2007 Budget because the District did not raise its property tax levy this year, and has held down operating costs through a combination of careful management practices, privatization of services, and public-private partnerships. However, the Federation was concerned by a decline in health of the District's pension fund, exacerbated by a recent reduction in District pension contributions. The Federation also cautioned that the District must hold the line on personnel cost increases in the future.