Finance
Annual Budget
The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County (FPWC) derives its working capital from two primary sources. The District’s tax levy is distributed into the corporate, debt service, botanic garden, retirement, liability reserve and development funds. The 2023-2024 tax rate is expected to be .09084 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed real estate valuation, which means that the Forest Preserve District has the lowest tax rate of any taxing body within Winnebago County.
The second source of income is the service fees generated by campgrounds, shelterhouses, equestrian permits, golf courses, etc. The District also utilizes private, federal and state grant programs to supplement its funds for land acquisition and development. Since its inception, the District has been awarded over eleven million dollars in land acquisition grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, State of Illinois OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) program and other programs. The District also receives funds through programs such as the Department of Natural Resources to fund construction of canoe launches, trails, parking and restroom facilities as well as fund restoration work.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will have a public hearing on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 5:15p.m. at Forest Preserve Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL to allow for public testimony regarding the proposed 2024-2025 Annual Budget.
A copy of the budget is on display at the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County Headquarters office and below.
Public Act 101-0504
FPWC is a member of the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) and compliant with Public Act 101-0504 for IMRF employer cost and participation information and related reports.
Total Compensation Package Information
Pursuant to the requirements of 5 ILCS 120/7.3, we have made available in our Human Resources department at FPWC Headquarters, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL 61103, a list of all employees having a total compensation package that exceeds $75,000 per year.
For the purpose of this statute, “total compensation” includes salary, health insurance, housing allowance, vehicle allowance, clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days and sick days.