Leadership in Flux: Recap of Last Week’s Park Board Meeting
Last week’s Park Board meeting was a study in contrasts. While the community gathered to celebrate decades of dedicated service, the subsequent budget and policy discussions revealed a Board President increasingly out of step with the operational realities of our parks and the needs of our community.
Honoring a Legacy
The evening began on a high note, with a series of well-deserved honors for Executive Director Jason Herbster. Proclamations from the Crystal Lake City Council, the Village of Lakewood, and McHenry County all expressed deep gratitude for his leadership. Additionally, State Representative Suzanne Ness presented a House of Representatives resolution, marking a significant moment of recognition for Jason’s impact on our region.
The "Tiesenga Tax": Arbitrary Hikes vs. Informed Policy
As the meeting shifted to business, the atmosphere changed. President Fred Tiesenga proposed a staggering 50% increase for non-resident rates. This move was met with immediate pushback from other board members.
Staff noted a critical flaw: many children who attend Crystal Lake schools are not technically "residents" of the park district. An arbitrary hike of this magnitude would effectively price out local students from basketball leagues and youth sports. While Tiesenga claimed he lacked data, staff clarified that the information was available. Ultimately, Cathy and Rich successfully moved to table the issue until June to allow for a thorough comparative analysis—a move that prioritizes families over impulsive revenue grabs.
Budget Friction and Staffing Realities
The budget discussions further highlighted a disconnect between the President and the professionals running the district. Despite the fact that the district employs 400 part-time summer staff and has significantly expanded summer camps, Tiesenga pushed for further staffing reductions.
IT Needs: While Commissioner Jacobson advocated for a full-time IT person to bring the district up to speed, the board ultimately voted to expand the hours of the current consultant.
The Mechanic Gap: Despite staff explaining that the district is struggling with a single mechanic (down from two) and is forced to pull staff off other vital projects, Tiesenga suggested simply "sending it out." The board eventually voted to attempt a part-time hire for a specific window.
Full Time Police Officer: Staff shared that it’s difficult to keep part-time police staff and that the necessary training makes frequent transitions difficult. Still the Board President would not accept staff recommendations.
Inclusion Coordinator: This is the only additional full-time role the Board agreed to. This position will oversee all inclusion responsibilities that involve the inclusion of a participant in a Crystal Lake Park District program.
Wage Compression: While staff worked to bring full-time wages above poverty levels to combat inflation and minimum wage increases, Tiesenga questioned why other districts like Barrington were able to reduce costs—ignoring the significant land acreage and facility differences unique to Crystal Lake.
Performance Review Score Distributions: A Disconnect on Value
Nowhere was the leadership gap more evident than in the discussion of performance review score distributions. In a year of high inflation, Tiesenga proposed a mere 2% pool. Cathy advocated for 4%, reflecting the reality of the current economy. The board eventually settled on 3.5%, which will be formally approved, along with the budget, on April 20th.
The Path Forward: May is Coming
This meeting made one thing clear: our Park District is at a crossroads. As we navigate the transition of an Executive Director, the community deserves a fair, transparent, and professional search process—one that is not hindered by micro-management or a lack of understanding of district operations.
The Board has an opportunity to reset. In May, the Board will elect a new president. It is time for leadership that listens to staff expertise, values our employees, and makes decisions based on data rather than gut feelings.
Comments