Financial Sustainability

Financial Stewardship

The Forest Preserve District follows sound management principles in our commitment to the planning and use of our financial resources. We maintain a AAA rating from Standard and Poors based on strong financial operations, adequate reserves, and disciplined budgeting practices. This superior rating has also enabled the District to attain successful bond sales over our history.

Fiscal Year 2019 

The nonprofit Government Finance Officers Association awarded the Forest Preserve District its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 31st  consecutive year. The association developed the program to encourage agencies and professionals who are members to “prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.” The 2018 award recognized the District’s comprehensive annual financial report for fiscal year 2018.

The District manages funds from property taxes to not only aid in the conservation of land and natural resources but also the creation of nature-related programs for DuPage County's residents and forest preserve patrons.

Taxes & Other Funding

Funding for Forest Preserve District of DuPage County operations comes primarily from real estate taxes. 

Taxes

While nearly three-quarters of a DuPage County homeowner's tax bill goes to support schools, just 2 cents of every dollar paid funds all of the services the Forest Preserve District provides. During the 2018 tax year the homeowner of a house with a market value of $300,000 paid $127 to the District in property taxes.

To report on its financial position and the results of its operations the District uses fund accounting, which demonstrates legal compliance and aids financial management by segregating transactions related to certain functions and activities. Funds are either governmental or proprietary. Governmental funds account for most of the District’s general activities, such as land acquisition, capital development, servicing of general bonded debt and general operations. Proprietary funds account for business-type activities and receive a significant portion of their funding from user fees.

During fiscal year 2019, the combined revenues of the District's governmental and proprietary funds totaled $77,644,830.

The combined expenses of governmental and proprietary funds totaled $46,,442,745.

Annual Budgets

The budget is the foundation of the District’s annual financial planning and is a tool that staff uses to manage daily operations. Starting in 2019, each budget year begins on Jan. 1 and concludes on Dec. 31. All District offices submit budget requests, which serve as a starting point for the development of the comprehensive document. Taking comment into consideration, the Board of Commissioners reviews and revises the appropriation before its adoption. Though not a formal part of the appropriation ordinance, the District uses a five-year projection of revenues and capital expenditures in its financial planning. 

2021 Budget (PDF)
2020 Budget (PDF)
2019 Budget (PDF)
Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 – 2018 Budget (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2017 – 2018 Budget (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2016 – 2017 Budget (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016 Budget (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2014 – 2015 Budget (PDF)
Fiscal Year 2013 – 2014 Budget (PDF)

Annual Financial Reports

The Forest Preserve District is required to publish a complete set of financial statements presented in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a firm of licensed certified public accountants.

2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)
2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (PDF)