Budget Message / Highlights - Metropolitan Water Reclamation ...

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO
2009 BUDGET
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
2009 BUDGET NARRATIVE
General Administration supports the office of the Executive Director in implementing Board policies. The organization
includes the Affirmative Action, Budget and Management, Site Remediation, Facilities, Police, Public Affairs, and Safety
Sections.
The 2009 appropriation request for General Administration is $22,835,600, a decrease of $6,369,400 or 21.8 percent from the
2008 budget request. The decrease is primarily due to a 2008 equity transfer to the Bond and Interest Fund to abate a portion of
the 2007 levy. The staffing requirements for the Department are 146 positions, an increase of eight positions from 2008. The
increase is due to the addition of eight (8) Police Officer positions and one (1) Management Analyst II position. The Police
Officer positions were added to meet the need for increased security in the North Service Area and to provide temporary
positions for reorganization. The Management Analyst II position was added to provide additional administrative service to the
support departments. One (1) Desktop Publisher position was dropped. There will also be an Associate Public Affairs
Representative position added to the Stormwater Management Fund, reporting to the Public Affairs Manager. This position
was added to support community outreach concerning “Detailed Watershed Plans” and the “Watershed Management
Ordinance.” Departmental appropriations for non-salary items are projected to remain relatively stable over the next five years.
Accomplishments during 2008 include:
• The 2008 Budget received the 24 th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation award from the GFOA;
• Continued improvement of security coverage of District facilities with the ongoing installation of Closed Circuit Television
(CCTV) cameras with Digital Video Recording technology in critical areas;
• Health and Safety award for 2007 from the Illinois Safety Council based on the reduction of lost time accidents from the
previous year;
• Safe Driving Award from Illinois Safety Council based on a reduction of accidents between 2006 and 2007;
• Completion of Phase I of the conversion of photocopiers to electronic document management devices;
• The addition of the Public Affairs Strategic Planning Committee to support the increased role of the District in proactively
addressing community issues;
• A risk management assessment of the overall effectiveness of the District’s management of financial, operational,
contractual, and environmental risks;
• Upgrades for the District’s Budget Planning Tool to increase control and reporting capabilities.
New features for the 2009 budget include:
• Renovation of the 4 th , 5 th and 6 th floors of the Main Office Building Complex (MOBC);
• Expanded public outreach in support of Public Affairs activities including the mailing of an annual report;
• Continued upgrade of video monitoring from VHS to digital;
• Completion of phase two of an electronic document management system in support of Engineering and Monitoring and
Research workflows;
• Installation of Starcom radios for the Police Section;
• Update and replacement of the print shop equipment;
• Provide budget development training, and author a Budget in Brief document for the 2010 budget;
• Environmental assessment of areas surrounding the wastewater treatment plants.
Mission statements, primary responsibilities, major goals, and initiatives for 2009 are discussed below.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION
The mission of the Administrative Services Division is to provide a safe and secure work environment for all employees,
provide public education and accurate up-to-date information on the District and its mission, provide efficient and cost-effective
support services to maintain the MOBC and the District fleet, and provide administrative services required by all departments to
accomplish the District’s mission. The goals and initiatives of the Administrative Services Division include the following:
1. Physically protect and secure District personnel, facilities, and outlying properties in a professional and costeffective
manner.
The primary responsibility of the Police Section is the security of District employees and facilities. In 2009, the section will
continue with its program to upgrade its recording systems from VHS to Digital format. Also, Starcom radios will be added to
police vehicles enabling targeted communication to local law enforcement agencies. Eight additional Police Officers will be
added in support of North Service Area security. The Police Section will continue to enforce and administer breath analysis in
compliance with the District's Drug-Free Workplace policy. In addition to currently certified officers, additional police officers
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