Council Approves GIS Upgrade, Highlights Financial Strength

Meeting Overview

On October 4, 2023, the St. Charles Government Operations Committee convened to review important infrastructure and financial matters. Key discussions included:

• GIS Utility Network approval for water, sanitary/stormwater, and electric utilities.

• Acceptance of the city’s annual financial audit with an unmodified opinion.

• Analysis of city financial trends, reserves, debt, and pension liabilities.

The meeting emphasized long-term infrastructure planning, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in city operations.

Omnibus Vote Approved

The committee began the session with a routine Omnibus vote for item 5A, which was approved unanimously. This procedural motion allowed the committee to focus on substantive projects without delay.

GIS Utility Network Project Approved

Eric Kon presented the resolution for a new GIS Utility Network, highlighting the system’s critical role for data standardization, enhanced functionality, and compliance with industry standards.

Key points of the project:

• Phased Implementation:

  • Phase 1: Water utility migration

  • Phase 2: Sanitary and stormwater utilities

  • Phase 3: Electric utilities

• Enhanced Capabilities: Web and mobile editing, rule-based data integrity, and advanced tracing for water isolation, electric outages, and stormwater flooding.

• Vendor Selection: Tim’s Group chosen for expertise and competitive pricing.

• Timeline: Each phase expected to take approximately one year.

Committee members asked detailed questions about data tracking, customization sessions, and overall project timelines. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll call vote, signaling strong support for modernizing city utility infrastructure.

Annual Financial Audit Accepted

Bill Hannah introduced Jim Savio from Sikich, who presented the city’s annual audit for the fiscal year.

Key highlights:

• Unmodified Opinion: The highest level of assurance with no material weaknesses or non-compliance.

• GASB 87 Compliance: New accounting standard for leases implemented.

• Clean Reports: Issued for TIF districts, revenue bonds, and previous audit follow-ups.

• Efficiency: Audit completed promptly due to city staff cooperation.

The audit was unanimously accepted, reinforcing St. Charles’ reputation for strong financial management.

City Financial Highlights and Trends

Bill Hannah reviewed key financial trends and metrics:

• General Fund Reserves: $1.7 million increase, maintaining 46.1% of expenditures, well above the 25% policy minimum.

• Debt Overview: General Obligation (GO) debt decreasing; IEPA loans increasing for water and sewer capital projects due to mandated upgrades.

• Revenue Trends: Growth in sales and consumption-based taxes over the past two years, now stabilizing.

• Pension Liabilities: Police and Fire pension contributions rising; IMRF fund 92% funded, with a target of 100% funding by 2040.

• Property Valuation: Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) projected to increase 10%, driven by residential properties.

Committee discussion focused on strategic borrowing, maintaining high reserves, and ensuring long-term pension funding. The presentation required no immediate action but provided critical information for future budgeting and policy decisions.

Key Takeaways

The October 4 Government Operations Committee meeting reflected a commitment to:

• Modernizing city infrastructure through the GIS Utility Network.

• Maintaining fiscal transparency with a clean financial audit.

• Ensuring financial stability via high reserves and strategic debt management.

• Planning for long-term obligations, including pensions and infrastructure needs.

These discussions illustrate St. Charles’ proactive approach to responsible governance and community planning.

Conclusion

The committee’s approval of the GIS Utility Network and acceptance of the annual audit underscores a city focused on efficiency, transparency, and forward-looking planning. Strong financial reserves, careful debt management, and ongoing attention to pension obligations ensure St. Charles remains well-positioned to support essential services, infrastructure improvements, and community growth.