2024 Popular Annual Financial Report
Produced June 2025 for fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Popular Annual Financial Report
Northbrook Park District is pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2024 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
This document is designed to provide a brief overview of the Northbrook Park District’s financial operations and details pertaining to Fiscal Year 2024.
The PAFR summarizes the District’s financial activities primarily gathered from the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2024. The ACFR is prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and was audited by Lauterbach & Amen, LLP. The auditor’s opinion stated that the financial information and statements are accurately and fairly presented. The ACFR is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).
The financial information in this PAFR is a summary of the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and is not intended to replace the full disclosure financial statements of the ACFR which is available online at nbparks.org and can be viewed at the Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
Our Mission
To enhance our community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.
Our Vision
To be recognized as a national leader in delivering innovative park and recreation services based on responsiveness, trust and accountability to our community.
Mary Ann Chambers
David Silverman Chris Leiner Executive Director
Beverly Kumar
Jason Risdon
Hamzah Mirza
Edward Chao Vice President
Michael Goodman President
About Northbrook Park District
Total Population
Established
13,111
Age Distribution
Race/Ethnicity
The Northbrook Park District was established on June 29, 1927 with a budget appropriation of $1,800 for Fiscal Year 1927.
Governance
A seven-member, elected Board of Commissioners establishes Park District policy, strategic direction and governing ordinances. Commissioners are elected to staggered, four-year terms and serve without compensation.
Staff
The Park District has an appointed Executive Director responsible to the Board of Commissioners for the administration of the District. The Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Budget included funding for 80 full-time positions. Throughout the year the District also employs roughly 724 part-time, seasonal and temporary employees and hundreds of volunteers in four budgetary areas: Administrative, Parks and Properties, Golf Operations and Recreation.
Population
According to the 2020 Census, the population of Northbrook is approximately 34,058.
Demographics
The District serves a highly educated, professional community of homeowners with an estimated median household income of $134,516 and a median age of about 50.9 years (2020 Census).
Notes:
In 2020, 3% of the Northbrook population identified as Hispanic or Latino which refers to a place or origin and is not considered race so it is reported separately.
2025 numbers are projections from the Park District’s 2021 CMP update.
Sources: Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Business Analyst Online (BAO) software, 2020 US Census, 2021 Northbrook Park District Comprehensive Master Plan Update.
Challenges in 2024
Continued Cost Increases
Over the past three years, inflation has remained a persistent challenge for local governments, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 7.0% in 2021, 6.5% in 2022, and 3.4% in 2023. While the pace of inflation has moderated, the cumulative impact continued to affect operational and capital planning in 2024.
The Park District anticipated these pressures and incorporated projected increases into the 2024 budget. Wage expenses rose by around 8.8%, reflecting competitive labor market conditions. Supplies and miscellaneous expenses increased by around 9.6%, driven by higher costs for materials, services and program delivery. Capital project budgets were also adjusted to reflect elevated construction and materials costs.
Infrastructure Challenges: Playgrounds
In 2024, the Park District continued to address the challenge of aging playground infrastructure. Most playgrounds have a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. Despite replacing eight playgrounds between 2022 andf 2024, seven of the District’s 18 playgrounds were still in the final quartile of their useful life at the end of 2024, with three exceeding 18 years of age.
To support the ongoing renewal of its playground inventory, the District replaced the playgrounds at Greenfield Park and Williamsburg Square Park, as well as the Tot Lot at Wescott Park in 2024. Additionally, a concept plan was developed for the renovation of West Park, the District’s second-oldest playground, incorporating community input into the design. As a result, West Park has been included in the 2025 Capital Improvement Plan for the development of construction and bid documents, with construction targeted for spring 2026.
Infrastructure Challenges: Athletic Fields
The District continued to receive critical feedback from residents regarding the condition of its baseball and softball fields. Given the size of the District’s athletic field inventory and the concerns raised, the Board recognized that a more strategic approach to field improvements was necessary.
The District also recognized that while significant investments had been made in other areas of the community—such as playgrounds, facilities, and infrastructure—athletic fields had not received the same level of attention. To address this gap and ensure more balanced reinvestment, the District commissioned a comprehensive study of all athletic fields and courts it owns or operates.
The study aimed to quantify usage, document existing conditions, and develop a clear plan for long-term improvements. It was conducted in three phases: Data Collection and Assessment, Development of Alternative Strategies and Development of Preferred Strategies.
As a result, two ballfield infields were fully renovated in 2024, and operational improvements were made to six additional fields. Guided by the study’s recommendations, the District remains committed to continuing field improvements into 2025 and beyond—working toward the long-term goal of sustained investment in athletic fields throughout the community.
Service Area Challenges
Service area challenges continued in 2024, largely due to the landlocked nature of North Shore communities. It is rare for tracts of land large enough to be suitable for development of parks and recreational services and facilities to become available in Northbrook.
The Board of Commissioners and staff continue to seek land opportunities within Northbrook in order to most equitably provide expanded recreational services, facilities and open space throughout the community.
2024 Accomplishments
The following awards received in 2024 illustrate the Northbrook Park District’s commitment to our Mission of environmental, social and financial stewardship.
Environmental Sustainability
In 2024, Heritage Oaks Golf Club was recertified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Heritage Oaks Golf Club was first designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2015 and is one of over 900 courses in the world to hold certification from Audubon International.
The District was awarded the 2024 Best Green Practices Award by the Illinois Association of Park Districts in October. This award recognizes the Park District’s commitment to outstanding environmental practices and community engagement.
Financial Stewardship
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Northbrook Park District has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada each year since 2000. The award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting. The budget document is judged as a policy document, operations guide, financial plan and communications device.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The Northbrook Park District has been recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada each year since 1993. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting.
Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting
The Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is intended to provide stakeholders with a clear and concise summary of the District’s financial reporting. In 2024, the Northbrook Park District received its first award in this category for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The report was judged on reader appeal, understandability, distribution methods, creativity and other elements.
Leaders in the Field
Several staff members and park district teams were recognized for their contributions to the community and the Park District in 2024. These included:
• Golf Range Association of America: Top 100 “Growth of the Game” Teaching Professional – Michael Wenzel
• Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD): 2024 Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest Awards: Marybeth Stone, Sports Category – 1st Place and Sally Norlie, Recreation/People at Play Category – 1st Place
• Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA): Agency Showcase Marketing Awards included 1st place – Print Communication, 4th place – Marketing Campaign, 4th Place –Short Form Video
• Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA): 2024 Outstanding Special Event – Paint the Prairie, presented in partnership with the Village of Northbrook Arts Commission.
• PING, Inc.: PING Power Fitter Award – John Billiter
• PGA of America: 2024 Game Changer Award in the Player Engagement Category –Michael Wenzel
The Financial Process
Comprehensive Master Plan Action Plan
In 2016, Northbrook Park District developed a Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP), shaped by the community, to guide facility and program development decisions for ten years.
In 2021, the Park District developed a five-year CMP Update to the plan. Utilizing extensive community input, six goals were identified and developed to help drive the District’s future. The strategies to support each goal are included in a comprehensive five-year Action Plan that is reviewed annually.
The 2021 CMP Update was adopted by the Board of Commissioners on March 30, 2022.
The Action Plan outlines the steps and potential timeline for implementing the six CMP goals and their associated strategies as determined through workshops with staff and the Park District’s Board of Commissioners.
The Action Plan is reviewed and revised annually to meet the identified priorities of the Park District.
Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is the Park District’s forecast of administrative, facility and golf projects for the fiscal year. This includes the repair and replacement of existing equipment and vehicles.
The CIP is developed using the Goals, Strategies and Action Plan from the 2021 CMP Update to determine project ranking and prioritization.
The CIP is included with the Annual Budget for consideration and approval by the Board of Commissioners.
All documents listed here can be viewed at nbparks. org/plans-and-reports or at the Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
Annual Budget Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
The Park District’s annual operating budget for each fiscal year is presented to the Board of Commissioners for review. The budget reflects the Park District’s comprehensive financial plan to provide parks, facilities and programs to residents and participants during the upcoming fiscal year.
The budget includes general information, financial analysis on a consolidated and divisional basis, and supplemental information including the CIP.
An Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Park District is conducted annually following Chapter 70, Section 1205, of the Illinois Compiled Statutes requiring that park districts secure a licensed public accountant to perform an annual audit of the financial statements. The independent audit firm of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, performed this audit for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Comprehensive Master Plan Goals
(2021 CMP Update)
Goal 1: Indoor Assets
Address existing indoor assets and recreation facility needs.
Goal 2: Outdoor Assets
Maintain and update existing outdoor recreation assets to provide quality parks, trails and outdoor facilities.
Goal 3: Acquisition & Development
Address park and open space level of service gaps and distribution deficiencies.
Goal 4: Program Strategies
Evaluate and adjust programs and marketing methods to provide highquality offerings that meet community needs.
Goal 5: Community Outreach
Build support, trust, communication and awareness within the community.
Goal 6: District Responsibility
Conduct operations with fiscal responsibility to maintain quality parks, facilities and services in a sustainable fashion, including continued development and partnership opportunities.
Financial Information
Fiscal Year Budget
The Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Budget represented 12 months of activity beginning January 1, 2024 and concluding December 31, 2024, including a total 2024 budget of $31.7 million, an Operating Budget of $21.9 million, a Capital Improvement and Repair Budget of $7.4 million and a Debt Service Budget of $2.4 million.
Northbrook Tax Distribution
Balanced Budget Approach
Park District policy requires the adoption of a balanced Operating Budget. Under normal conditions, operating expenditures are less than real estate taxes (excluding Debt Service) and fees for services. Any surplus from operations (General and Recreation Funds) is used to fund capital improvement needs. A deficit total budget would result only from discretionary spending approved by the Board of Commissioners for capital improvements. Larger capital initiatives are presented to the community in the form of separate public input meetings.
Equalized Assessed Value
The 2023 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of Northbrook Park District real estate was $3,327,496,553.
Tax Rate
The 2023 tax rate was $0.419 per $100 of assessed value, representing around 5.6% of an average real estate tax bill. The percentage of a resident’s tax bill could vary slightly depending on the resident’s school district.
Debt Rating
The Park District reviews its existing obligation structure, current and projected surplus from operations and future liability levels before making decisions to issue new debt.
Northbrook was the first park district in Illinois to earn a Moody’s Aaa rating, which reflects the Park District’s financial obligations are judged to be of the highest quality. In February 2022, Moody’s Investors Service reviewed and assigned a rating of Aaa to the Park District’s issued General Obligation Limited Tax Park Bonds, Series 2022. In 2024, the District anticipated maintaining this rating as it prepared for a $4.5 million bond issuance scheduled for early 2025.
Long Term – Non-referendum Debt Total by Year
Tax distribution data from a typical 2023 tax bill. As of writing, the complete 2024 tax distribution data is not yet available.
Alternative Revenue Sources
2024 Grants Awarded
Greenfield Park
$250,000 – Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant Leisure Center
$2,800,000 – Park and Recreational Facility Construction Grant (PARC) awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Meadowhill Aquatic Center
$600,000 – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Northbrook Theatre
$15,000 – General Operating Support Grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA)
$3,390 – National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Youth Employment via the IACA
Wescott Playground
$150,000 – Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grant
Community Partnerships
Northbrook Bank & Trust Company, N. A., A Wintrust Community Bank
As part of the annual budgeting and planning process, Northbrook Park District incorporates alternative revenue sources through strategic sponsorship and advertising opportunities. 2024 marked the fourth year of an impactful five year partnership agreement with Northbrook Bank & Trust, NA. With similar service missions, we are grateful for this support which helps fund the Park District’s scholarship program as well as several large community events including races, free summer concerts and community festivals that allow thousands of people to enjoy a sense of community in our parks, facilities, events and programs each year.
Providing Recreational Opportunities
Scholarship Program
Northbrook Park District believes everyone should have the opportunity to participate in recreation programs and therefore administers a Scholarship Program. Park District staff members work with Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook and other outside agencies to identify the need for financial assistance, considering income along with identified special circumstances. Northbrook residents who meet the criteria can receive financial assistance for recreation programs and memberships. Scholarships are available for all ages on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. An annual application form is required. Those in need of financial assistance should visit nbparks.org/scholarship or call 847-291-2995.
Scholarship Expenditures
In order to best serve the community, Northbrook Park District collaborates with other professionals in the field of parks and recreation on a regular basis. The Park District is a member of the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
How Your Park District is Funded
• For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, revenues from government funds were $31,850,820 compared to $28,830,897 in 2023. The Cash and Investment was $29,598,393, as seen on the Balance Sheet – Governmental Funds (pages 29–30 of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report).
• Taxes are one of the Park District’s largest revenue source at $13,663,823 or 42.9% of the total revenue. Property taxes are levied annually by ordinance and adopted by the Board of Commissioners each December.
• Comprising 45.8% of total revenue in Fiscal Year 2024, Charges for Services are the largest nontax revenue source for the Park District. Total Charges for Services were $14,583,367 in 2024, up $1,696,654 over the previous year. The Retail Sales category includes golf merchandise and ticket sales while rentals encompasses rentals of facilities and equipment. The largest of the three categories, Recreation and Golf Activity, includes program fees, golf fees, driving range, fitness memberships, freestyle ice and recreational daily fees among other items.
• Grant funding is included in Intergovernmental Revenue.
Revenue has risen steadily over the last three years, with strong increases in 2022 and 2023 driven by growth in recreation programming following COVID-19 participation impacts experienced in 2021. This upward trend continued into 2024, reflecting sustained momentum in revenue growth.
The revenue totals in the pie chart below are sourced from pages 33–34 of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The total revenue listed is for Governmental Funds Totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds.
How Your Park District Allocates Funding
The majority of funds are invested in general administration, recreation facilities, programs, parks, safety and security, maintenance, capital repair and replacement that directly impact citizens and the community.
• For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, actual expenditures represented $30,202,980 compared to $27,371,374 in 2023.
• As of December 31, 2024, $11,735,000 is outstanding debt on General Obligation Bonds.
• Capital Outlay represents $6,510,408 or 21.6% of total expenses. The Capital Outlay spending continues to support the Goals, Strategies and Action Plan identified in the 2021 CMP Update.
The expense totals in the pie chart below are sourced from pages 33–34 of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The total expense listed is for Governmental Funds Totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds.
Total expenses rose higher in 2023 with increases in salary and program expenses and with capital outlay growth to $5.3M. Total expenses in 2024 increased $2.8M mostly driven by recreation programming and capital outlay growth to $6.5M.
$30,202,980
Northbrook Park District Community Impact
Community Cooperation
The Park District is affiliated with the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) to provide recreational activities and services for residents with special needs.
In addition to our own programs, the Park District works cooperatively with a variety of athletic affiliates to provide recreational opportunities to the community. These affiliates include Glenbrook North Hockey, Northbrook Baseball, Northbrook Cycle Committee, Northbrook Girls Softball Association, Northbrook Hockey League, Northbrook Speed Skating Club, Spartan FC and Teams Elite.
To provide cooperative events and programs for the community, the Park District collaborates with many local governmental entities including Glenbrook High School District 225, Northbrook Police Department, Northbrook Public Library, Northbrook School District 27, Northbrook School District 28, Northbrook/ Glenview School District 30, Village of Northbrook and West Northfield School District 31.
