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For the.past several issues of this newsletter, I've focused on Lake County services, departments and more because many residents have questions.
Today, I'm going to focus on the Lake County Forest Preserves District. All County Board members also serve as commissioners for the Lake County Forest Preserves District (LCFPD.org). The LCFPD is an independent organization with it's own Vision, Mission, and goals. Residents often want.to discuss the 31,000 acres of open space, miles of trails, educational programs and many opportunities for volunteers who want a direct role improving the natural beauty we enjoy.
Commissioners each serve on one or more standing committees: Finance, Operations, Planning and Rules. In addition, members may serve on special committees: Diversity & Cultural Awareness and Ethics. I serve on the Operations Committee and I am Chair of the Ethics Committee.
The Ethics committee meets periodically to review the current Ethics Ordinance (law), consider opportunities to learn from any perceived gaps and best practices to present the improvements to the total LCFPD Board for consideration and approval.
Finance has a broad charter for everything from budgets to the levy, risk and approval of all contracts and purchases presented by other committees and internal financial services.
Planning is responsible for all purchases of land, land use, planning, prioritization, surveys, titles, encroachment, environmental studies and much more.
Rules meets to review, consider, research and amend, as necessary, rules of engagement among board members, with staff and the public. This committee reviews committee structure and responsibilities and sets the calendar for all meetings for the following two years.
Operations, on which I serve, focuses on nearer term needs (generally planned well in advance).such as equipment/vehicle replacement, building maintenance including consideration of removing excess buildings, rates, fees and rules for rental of venues such as Independence Grove and Greenbelt.
Clearly, I have only provided a small amount of information. You can learn much more at LCFPD.org. In the next issue, I'll highlight Culture, Diversity, Education, programs and the Dunn Museum.
Until then, I'm happy to respond to your questions and concern via phone or email.
Regards,
 Early Voting
In-person early voting for the Nov. 6 Election is now
available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 19 at the Lake County
Clerk’s Office, 18 N. County St., Waukegan.
Beginning Oct. 22,
early voting will be available at 16 early voting sites throughout the county. Use
any early voting site regardless of where you live. Find
an early voting site near you.
Vote by Mail
Registered voters wishing to vote by mail must submit
a completed electronic application or paper application to the Clerk’s office
by noon Nov. 1. Voted ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s office bearing a
postmark no later than midnight on Election Day. Complete
your vote by mail application.
More Information
Visit LakeCountyClerk.info and click on the “November 2018 Election” icon to find voter
registration information, preview your ballot, and details on how to vote
by mail, early, or on Election Day.
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Following an analysis of Lake County’s P-card program, an
independent firm concluded that there is not widespread misuse of Lake County
P-Cards. However, the firm recommended Lake County update its policy, processes
and procedures. Lake County has approximately 260 County-issued P-Cards used by
employees, some board members and elected officials for County business related
expenses. The firm analyzed a sample of Lake County P-card transactions representing
52% of total spending for 12 months and reviewed best practices from across the
country. They presented the findings to the County Board’s Finance and
Administration Committee who directed the evaluation. While the County has a
policy that specifically defines appropriate expenses, the study’s findings
show there are gaps that can be improved with stronger internal controls.
Recommendations include: updating the policy to be in line with current
practices; defining additional policies and procedures to better document
approvals and handle exceptions (including personal charges and late
submissions); implementing regular departmental reviews of active cards and
credit limits, as well as additional training.
P-Cards are a valuable procurement and payment tool used by
governments, as well as businesses, because it reduces length of time to make a
purchase or pay vendor, can decrease transaction costs and earn revenue through
rebates. The Committee will review and discuss the action plan for implementing
the recommendations at its next meeting.
In local government, much of what we do and how we do it is
dictated by State and sometimes Federal laws. For example, Lake County
government purchases a variety of goods and services and there are different
ways to procure those services depending on what it is. For example, when
hiring architects, engineers and land surveyors, Lake
County (and local governments) are required to use
the Professional Services Selection process and award these contracts through a
“Qualifications Based Selection.” This allows the County to evaluate a firm based on experience and expertise
relative to the project, and cost is negotiated after the most highly rated
firm is selected.
How does
it work? When professional services are needed, the department develops the
project scope and then publicly advertises the request for services. Interested
firms submit a Statement of Interest (SOI) and Statement of Qualifications
(SOQ) and a selection committee –made up of
professionals from the department—evaluate the
proposals and select a minimum of three firms to participate in an
interview/presentation. They rank the firms based on several criteria, including their expertise and past related
experience. The County then begins negotiating the number of hours
it will take to complete the scope of services. The final contract is then
presented to the Lake County Board for approval.
Following
this process is required by State and Federal law; it provides value to the
County and helps us deliver cost-effective, efficient
services to our residents because our Lake County team of professionals
has selected the most qualified firm to perform the work, and these firms are then qualified to do similar work in the
future, based on their past successful performance. Learn More: Qualifications
Based Selection FAQ’s
As it has for the past
decade, Lake County has received the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award”
from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Lake County
consistently receives this annual award that reflects the County’s commitment
to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting and shows Lake County
satisfies nationally recognizes guidelines for effective budget presentation.
The award demonstrates that the budget serves as a policy document, financial
plan, operations guide and a communications device.
The Lake County Board has a strong track record
of practicing fiscal responsibility. Lake County consistently has a balanced
budget, and for 20 years has maintained a Triple A credit rating – the highest
rating possible. Lake County is one of only two counties in Illinois that have
a AAA rating from the rating agencies Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, an
achievement held by approximately 2% of the nation’s counties.
Also each year, an independent professional
audit of Lake County’s finances is completed. The audit firm of RSM US LLP recently
issued a “clean opinion” for the latest audit, which is the highest opinion
available. The recent audit, along with the credit rating and GFOA
awards, collectively show Lake County is financially sound.
 One
of the best things about saying farewell to summer is looking forward to a fall
festival in Lake County! Enjoy autumn’s glows firsthand while heading to an
Oktoberfest, get spooked, pick out pumpkins or get lost in a maze of maize.
View Visit
Lake County’s guide to the county’s fall festivals.
Enjoy these local festivities!
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Doggy Trick or Treat event: Gear up for a howling-good time at the Mundelein Park District's first Doggy Trick-or-Treat event from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 13 at Community Park. Details
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Great Pumpkin Celebration: Enjoy indoor trick-or-treating, games and hayrides at the Round Lake Area Park District celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 20. Learn more
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Trick or Treat Wauconda Main Street: Come to Main Street in downtown Wauconda for a fun and safe day of trick or treating from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 28. Learn more
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 Bring your household cleaners, fluorescent light bulbs and other
household chemical waste products to be recycled as the Solid Waste Agency of
Lake County holds its final mobile household chemical waste collection of 2018.
SWALCO also offers year-round collections by appointment only at its Gurnee
facility. Learn more about the collection, including
items that will be accepted.
When: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6
Where: Mundelein Metra Station, 205 N. Archer Ave.
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 The Lake County
Sheriff’s Office is piloting a new collaborative program with the Lake County
Health Department called the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COaST) to
support residents with mental or behavioral health illness who interact with
law enforcement.
Within approximately
three days of a law enforcement officer encountering a mental health
interaction or an opioid overdose, the COaST deputy will arrange a meeting with
the individual or “cold call” their residence. During that meeting, the deputy will check the well-being
of the person and determine if he or she has sought treatment or services since
the initial event. The deputy will then provide a “warm handoff” to the Health
Department counselor, who will conduct a brief assessment, and if necessary,
refer the person to appropriate services. Learn
more
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 Donate your new or gently used adult and children’s
coats and outerwear to help area veterans and their families as part of the Lake
County Law Enforcement Veteran's Coat Drive. The collection is running now through
Nov. 7. Find a collection
site near you.
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 Forest Preserve News
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 Free Senior Museum Admission
Senior admission to the Dunn Museum in
Libertyville is free for the entire month of October. Daily admission for
seniors (62 and up) is just $3 all other months and $1.50 on Discount
Tuesdays. Plan your visit.
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 Teacher Open House
Lake County educators, learn about exciting programs and resources for your
class, tour the exhibitions and take part in guided teacher training sessions
with our education staff on Oct. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Professional development credits will be
available. Learn more
Welcome REI
Our county’s
first REI store recently opened in Vernon Hills. The retail and outdoor
recreation services company has already forged a partnership with the Lake
County Forest Preserves. In addition to offering recreation programs in various
preserves, we are delighted to thank REI for its recent $20,000 grant to
support two public access projects. With these funds, and the help
of Youth Conservation Corps crews this summer,
we extended an existing boardwalk at Ryerson Woods in
Riverwoods and stabilized the Des Plaines River shoreline with
native wetland plants at the Wright Woods Canoe Launch at
IL Route 60 in Vernon Hills.
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Movie in the Barn
Gather with the community at the Village Barn in Hawthorn Woods for a movie at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18. Everyone will receive one free bag of popcorn at this event. Learn more
Celebrate Oaktober
Did you know that October is officially coined as Oaktober in Illinois? Join the Round Lake Area Park District to celebrate not only our state tree, the White Oak, but all oaks in and around
our state with crafts, activities, and nature hikes. The program will run from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Prairie Grass Nature Museum. Register today for this free program!
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