Northfield Township Binding Referendum on Nov. 3 Ballot

LWVGG  Recommends Voting "Yes" on Referendum Question Regarding Consolidation of Northfield Township and Northfield Township Road District.​

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Referendum Question: “Shall the Road District of the Township of Northfield be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Northfield?”  ​

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Why a "Yes" Recommendation

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After a study by League members, the consensus of the League was "Yes". During our study, we followed the criteria contained in the League of Women Voters Illinois (LWVIL) 2015 position on Consolidation as well as the core League Principle of efficient and effective government. Our League concluded that the consolidation of the Northfield Township Road District into the Northfield Township government will be beneficial in the following ways:

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Efficient and effective operation of government

• One governmental entity, working cooperatively and collaborating as a team -- prepares budgets, provides services, pays bills, plans projects and ensures compliance with contracting requirements.

• One governmental entity eliminates duplicative contracts for professional services (legal, financial), software, communications, memberships.

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Enhanced transparency

• Proposed projects, expenditures, fund transfers, are above-board and viewable by the public at monthly and special Township meetings, in person and via recordings.

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Accountability

• Illinois law does not give the public routine oversight of the Road District. However, Township board meetings are open to the public and those meetings are publicly noticed, with agendas available for review 48 hours before board meetings.

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What's on the November 3 Ballot

The November 3 General Election ballot will include three Northfield Township referenda. Two are non-binding questions related to the food pantry and garbage collection.  The binding referendum, and the one the League studied, asks voters to decide whether the Road District should be abolished, with its powers, assets, and obligations assumed by the township government. 

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What Happens If the Referendum Passes at November 3 election?

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• Prior to 2029, Township would plan to establish Township “Road Department” to provide services under centralized and transparent management.

• Consolidation would occur May 2029 -- when current elected Highway Commissioner’s term expires

• Road District’s 7 employees would transition to Township.

• Following consolidation, road-related budgeting, financial oversight and services to unincorporated areas would come under the purview of the Township Supervisor/Board rather than an elected Road Commissioner.

• Services would be planned as normal, including working with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

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Statutory Responsibilities for each Government Entity​​

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Northfield Township

• General assistance for qualifying residents

• Assists residents with property tax appeals and disputes

• Maintenance of all roads and bridges outside federal, state and other local jurisdictions

 

Northfield Road District

• Constructs, maintains, and repairs roads in unincorporated areas

• Prepares a budget for Road District operations

• Sets the tax levy for the Road District

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Township Board Oversight of Road District

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Township Supervisor

• Serves as Road District treasurer

• Responsible for all money received and paid out

• Makes payments ONLY AFTER the Township Board has examined and audited those claims and charges

Township Clerk

• Serves as clerk for the Road District

Board of Trustees

• Approve Highway Commissioner budget at a public hearing (Township board may accept a highway commissioner’s proposed budget,reject it, or accept parts of it while rejecting other parts pursuant to 605 ILCS 5/6-501 (c), they are not authorized to unilaterally make modifications to theproposed budget by adjusting individual line items)

• Audit Road District bills and accounts before any bills are paid (60 ILCS 1/80-10)​

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Seven Township have Consolidated Road Districts

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• Bloomingdale

• Ela

• Naperville

• Worth

• Hanover

• Vernon

• Wheeling

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Reasons for Consolidation

• Efficiency 

• Centralize Management/ Reduce Unnecessary Management 

• Accountability / Transparency 

• Road District was doing a poor job 

• Try to save money, but it really didn’t

• Corruption ​​​​

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Thoughts on Consolidation (based on LWVGG interviews)

No Township felt consolidation was a mistake. They said:

• We did a full assessment of Road District Operations. Found that we weren’t getting our full Motor Fuel Tax dollars (Now corrected)

• We consolidated the Road District with our maintenance areas, so the new department is more like a Public Works department

• Key personnel stayed, so there hasn’t been a loss of knowledge

• Cross-training increased efficiency and improved employee morale

• This was a very successful move for us

• We have not noticed more complaints or really any difference in service. Road District employees stayed on so daily operations continued without disruption.

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