2025 Popular Annual Financial Report
Produced June 2026 for fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Popular Annual Financial Report
Northbrook Park District is pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2025 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 2025.
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, 2025. 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 2025 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.
To enhance our community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.
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
The Northbrook Park District was established on June 29, 1927 with a budget appropriation of $1,800 for Fiscal Year 1927.
Governance
Age Distribution
Race/Ethnicity
Northbrook Income Distribution
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 Park District. The Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Budget included funding for 82 full-time positions. Throughout the year the District also employs roughly 669 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 Comprehensive Master Plan 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 2025
Continued Cost Increases
Although the overall rate of inflation slowed in 2025 compared to previous years, the Park District continued to see increases across large budget expense areas including wages, commodity materials and supplies.
The Park District anticipated these pressures and incorporated projected increases in the 2025 budget. Wage expenses budgeted rose by about 6.5%, and supply and miscellaneous budgeted expenses rose by around 8.8%. Capital project budgets were also adjusted to reflect an increase in costs for construction and materials.
Aging Facilities
In line with its financial stewardship mission and capital improvement plan goals, the Park District has judiciously maintained its indoor and outdoor assets over the decades. However, the passage of time inevitably presents operational cost challenges in this area.
Facilities that require especially careful planning for short-term and long-term maintenance include:
The Village Green Center, constructed in 1947 as a Youth Center. The building was modified for offices in the 1960s and transformed into a Senior Center in the 1970s. The Senior Center was relocated to the Northbrook Community Center (formerly Leisure Center) in 1993.
The Northbrook Sports Center, which opened in 1968. A second ice rink was added in 1973. The pool, tennis courts and playground have been upgraded over the years, and a major renovation and expansion took place in 1999–2000 to upgrade ice rink and pool operations.
Dating back to about 1974, the Administration Building was purchased in 1993 by the Park District and renovated to accommodate various departments.
Athletic fields across the Park District. Based on the recommendations of a Field and Court Assessment completed in 2024, the Park District identified a multi-year plan of needed improvements, starting with high-use fields with noticeable deficiencies, particularly at Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
Service Area Challenges
Service area challenges continued in 2025, largely due to the landlocked nature of North Shore communities. The Board of Commissioners and staff continue to seek land opportunities within Northbrook to most equitably provide expanded recreational services, facilities and open space to best serve all residents.
2025 Accomplishments
The following 2025 accomplishments illustrate the Northbrook Park District’s commitment to our Mission of environmental, social and financial stewardship.
Asset Stewardship
The Park District completed the renovation of Meadowhill Aquatic Center, funded in part by a $600,000 state grant.
The project included the effective doubling of shaded areas on the pool deck, refreshed locker rooms with two new family changing rooms, a new lobby configuration with direct access to the pool area, and extensive upgrades to the mechanical equipment that pumps, filters and circulates the pool water.
The Park District also began a large renovation of Northbrook Community Center (formerly Leisure Center) in 2025, funded in part by a $2.8 million state grant.
The 1960s era building is scheduled to reopen in 2026 as a modern and welcoming environment that will provide enhanced spaces accommodating programming options for all ages, including new areas for performance programs, a revamped teaching kitchen and renovated classroom, meeting and gathering spaces.
Environmental Sustainability
The Park District continues to retain “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” designation for three of its properties through Audubon International. Heritage Oaks Golf Club first earned the certification in 2015, while Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Wood Oaks Green Park did so in 2023.
The Park District was awarded the 2025 Best Green Practices award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts, which recognizes initiatives to incorporate and encourage environmentally friendly business practices and policies.
Financial Stewardship
Triple Crown Award
In 2025, the Park District earned its first Triple Crown Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of United States and Canada (GFOA) for obtaining the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for fiscal year 2024.
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Park District has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the GFOA 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 Park District has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA each year since 1993. The award is the highest form of recognition in government accounting and financial reporting.
Popular Annual Financial Report Award
The Northbrook Park District’s Popular Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, earned a PAFR Award from the GFOA. The award is given based on reader appeal, understandability, distribution methods, creativity, usefulness and overall quality.
Leaders in the Field
Park District staff members earned prestigious awards in 2025. These included:
• Golf Range Association of America: Top 100 “Growth of the Game” Teaching Professionals – Director of Golf Instruction Michael Wenzel; Top 50 Clubfitter – Head Golf Professional John Billiter
• Golf Range Association of America: Top 50 Public Range –Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Awards: Agency Showcase Marketing Awards – Logo Design (1st place), Video Short Format (2nd place), Social Media (3rd place), Written Content (5th place), Table Display (5th place)
• Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Best of the Best Awards: Arts in the Park and Best Green Practices
• PING, Inc: PING Power Fitter Award – Head Golf Professional John Billiter
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 Park 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.
All documents listed here can be viewed at nbparks.org/finance by scanning the QR code or in-person at the Joe Doud Administration Building, 545 Academy Drive, Northbrook.
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.
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 document 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, 2025.
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 2025 Annual Budget represented 12 months of activity beginning January 1, 2025 and concluding December 31, 2025, including a total 2025 budget of $36,200,465, an Operating Budget of $23,662,215, a Capital Improvement and Repair Budget of $9,922,250 and a Debt Service Budget of $2,616,000.
Budgets
Operating Budget
Capital Improvement Budget
Debt Service Budget
Total Budget
Balanced Budget Approach
FY25
$23,662,215
$9,922,250
$2,616,000
$36,200,465
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 2024 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of Northbrook Park District real estate was $3,343,900,941.
Tax Rate
The 2024 tax rate was $0.456 per $100 of assessed value, representing around 5.9% 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.
In 2007, 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 2025, Moody’s Investors Service reviewed and assigned a rating of Aaa to the Park District’s issued General Obligation Limited Tax Park Bonds, Series 2025.
Long Term – Non-referendum Debt Total by Year
Tax distribution data from a typical 2024 tax bill. As of publishing, 2025 tax bill data has not been released.
Alternative Revenue Sources
2025 Grants Awarded
West Park
$600,000 – Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Techny Prairie Park and Fields Bike Path
$200,000 – BIKE Illinois – Illinois Bike Path Grant Program awarded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
Northbrook Theatre
$15,000 – General Operating Support Grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA)
$3,740 – National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Youth Employment via the IACA
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. 2025 marked the fifth 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
Professional Collaboration
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, 2025, revenues from government funds were $36,066,390 compared to $31,850,820 in 2024. The Cash and Investment was $30,922,573 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 sources at $15,103,670 or 41.9% of the total revenue. Property taxes are levied annually by Ordinance and adopted by the Board of Commissioners each December.
• Comprising 42.9% of total revenue in Fiscal Year 2025, Charges for Services are the largest nontax revenue source for the Park District. Total Charges for Services were $15,460,822 in 2025, up $877,455 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 driven by growth in recreation programming, reflecting sustained momentum in revenue growth.
Revenues $36,066,390
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, 2025. The total revenue listed is for Governmental Funds totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds. FY23 Total Revenue: $28,830,897
FY24 Total Revenue: $31,850,820
$36,066,390
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, 2025, actual expenditures represented $33,552,069 compared to $30,202,980 in 2024.
• As of December 31, 2025, $14,095,000 is outstanding debt on General Obligation Bonds.
• Capital Outlay represents $9,100,210 or 27.1% 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, 2025. The total expense listed is for Governmental Funds Totals including General, Recreation, Debt Service and Special Recreation Funds.
Total expenses rose higher in 2025 with increases in salary, benefits and services expenses along with capital outlay growth to $9,100,210. Total expenses in 2025 increased $3,349,089 mostly driven by capital outlay growth.
$33,552,069
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.
543
7.75
1,946
