The Civic Federation opposed the Forest Preserve District’s FY2005 Budget because the District has failed to meet minimum standards for disclosure and accountability in its budget process and has implemented a 13.6% property tax increase which is not justified.
The Civic Federation opposed the County’s $3.04 billion FY2005 budget because it does not reduce operational expenditures or implement increased efficiencies and it is balanced by means of two new and unnecessary revenue enhancements: a 2% hotel tax and a 2% restaurant tax.
The Civic Federation supported the MWRD's FY2005 Budget because it levied well below the maximum allowable property tax increase, and because it continues to reduce personnel. The Federation recommended continued restraint in levy increases, including for Stormwater Management, and improvements in budget presentation.
The Civic Federation supported the Chicago Park District's FY2005 Budget because the District levied well below the maximum allowable property tax increase, and because it continued to reduce full-time personnel. The Federation is concerned that the CPD may commingle Special Recreation funds with General Funds, and recommends dramatic improvements to the budget documents.
The Civic Federation supported the City's holding the property tax levy constant for the second year in a row and cutting positions, but was concerned that further measures to control personnel expenditures should be taken and was disappointed that the City did not dedicate more Skyway sale revenues for long-term obligations.
The Civic Federation supported increased public funding for the CTA, Metra, and Pace, but opposed the massive service cuts proposed in the CTA's "Gridlock" Budget scenario. The Federation called for fare increases and other measures in lieu of service cuts, and recommended that a chair be appointed to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board as soon as possible.
The Civic Federation opposed the City Colleges proposed FY2005 budget because it significantly increased both spending and revenues with little effort to control costs. The budget increased spending by 9% over FY2004, raised tuition by $10 per credit hour, and raised property tax to the maximum amount allowable.
The Civic Federation was concerned about the lack of transparency of this proposal. It questioned the rationale for approving $100 million in proposed projects without producing a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and before presenting the District's operating budget.
The Civic Federation was pleased with some elements of the $5.05 billion CPS budget, but also identified several areas of concern and opposed the $50 million maximum allowable increase in the property tax levy.
The Civic Federation supported the rejection of any broad-based tax increases but opposed the proposal to reduce pension funding by $310 million and extend payment of that amount over a 41-year period.
