For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
Feb. 28, 2007
630-407-6022

COUNTY BOARD APPROVES NEW RULES

Changes will provide residents with the most open and accessible county government

WHEATON ― Providing more transparency to county government, opening up the budget process and providing for greater budget planning is the aim of a series of rule changes recently adopted by the DuPage County Board.

During Tuesday’s County Board meeting, members were availed the opportunity to submit changes to the current county rules.  Some of the changes accepted by the board include:    doubling the number of night meetings; reconfiguring the county’s Finance Committee and providing for a more open, comprehensive budget process, which was proposed by Brien Sheahan (District 2).

“It is my intention that the county budget policy will be a forward looking financial planning document that ensures county spending is in step with projected revenue, and that the county facilities are adequately maintained,” said Sheahan.

Deb Olson (District 4) notes that changes to the rules, specifically enhanced fiscal accountability, as well as the creation of two new committees, will help the county plan for future budget needs and constraints. 

“Our responsibility as elected officials is to provide our residents with the most open and accessible county government,” said Olson.   “These changes will help bring about a better budget and planning processes, which is good for the future of DuPage County.”

Other rule changes approved Tuesday include:   the creation of legislative and strategic planning committees; a financial impact statement for all new and expanded programs, as well as projects over $500,000; and a budget policy that will set parameters, as well as give more guidance to the county’s overall budgeting, goals and priorities.

Paul Fichtner (District 1) strongly supported changing the make-up of the Finance Committee in order to ensure that there was fair and balanced representation on the committee.  Under the new rules, the committee will now be comprised of two board members from each of the six districts.  Previous membership was based on committee chairmanships. 

“By bringing in representation from every district to the Finance Committee we can ensure that every community in our county has a voice on the important issues, particularly during the budget process, that come before this committee,” said Fichtner.

Jeff Redick (District 2), one of the newest members on the Board, said that he’s excited about the changes to the rules and believes that “this new operational outline will better allow me as a Board Member to work on behalf of the people of DuPage County.”

“These changes to the County Board Rules represent a positive change for the people of DuPage County,” said Redick. “The Rules, as passed, provide for greater governmental transparency, call for a more open budget process and long term budget planning.  These are the types of changes that the good people of DuPage County have called for and now they have been delivered.”

For more information on the DuPage County Board, as well as access to information on county programs, please visit www.dupageco.org.

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