“This consolidation will save money by reducing administrative costs and the redundancy of government units,” said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “The Lake County Board will continue to seek out opportunities to consolidate or eliminate redundant taxing bodies to save taxpayer money and create greater efficiency.”
Current property assessment fees, operational activities and level of service will remain the same following consolidation, with an expected cost benefit from improved administrative and operational efficiency. The funding that is freed up will be dedicated to streambank stabilization projects.
Larry Bridges, Chair of the new consolidated district stated, “I am excited the consolidation will decrease administrative costs to make available more funding for stormwater channel improvements to prevent flooding in the district. The consolidation will facilitate proper maintenance of a regional drainage system that serves approximately 20,600 parcels of land located in the county.”
Illinois established a system of drainage districts in 1879. There are currently more than 1,700 districts in the state. A drainage district is a small unit of local government created by petition or referendum and is court approved to construct and manage the drainage of the lands within its boundaries. Each district is governed by three drainage commissioners who may be elected or appointed by a judge, or in the case of Lake County, the County Board.
The districts are funded by maintenance assessments. Each benefited landowner in a district is assessed a fee for maintenance and upkeep of the district. The district’s assessment role is approved by the Courts.
Drainage districts are regional, and their boundaries may extend into one or more counties though they are only required to report in one county.
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