Send email to:

dstolman@lakecountyil.gov

or call me at 847-377-2300.
 

Representing Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Prairie View

Old McHenry Road Public Information Meeting

On October 19, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) will be holding a public information meeting concerning the proposed study of Old McHenry Road through the Village of Long Grove including the intersection at Robert Parker Coffin Road. The meeting will be in an open house for-mat and held at Kildeer Countryside Elementary School (3100 Old McHenry Road).

LCDOT staff and their engineering consultant will be available to discuss the existing road conditions and answer questions. Maps, drawings and other information pertinent to the project will be available for inspection at the open house. Citizens are welcome to submit written statements concerning the project or can drop off comments at the LCDOT office for a period of 15 days subsequent to the meeting.

The meeting will be handicap accessible, but for anyone needing special assistance, contact Chuck Gleason (LCDOT) at 847-377-7447.

 Village of Buffalo Grove and Lake County Collaborate to Assist Homeowners with their Recent Sewer Billing

Buffalo Grove Village President Jeffrey Braiman and Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman announced yesterday, that the Village and the County of Lake have developed a plan to minimize the impact of summer sewer service fees for Buffalo Grove residents served by Lake County. Under the terms of the plan, many Lake County residents of Buffalo Grove will receive a credit on their next billing cycle based on prior non-peak season usage.

In late 2010, in response to concerns raised by Village residents as to the fairness of a flat rate charge for County sewer services, Village staff investigated moving to a consumption-based billing method for County sewer treatment charges. Under consumption-based billing, the amount billed is based on the amount of water actually used, a more equitable method that ensures that smaller households and those not using large amounts of water pay proportionately less than larger residential users. In addition, the change in methodology is intended to promote conservation of a vital natural resource in the metropolitan area, Lake Michigan drinking water. Prior to 2011, the Village used a "residential customer equivalent," or flat rate, to assess sewer charges for residential use at a rate of 7,500 gallons consumed per household per month at $4.00 per 1,000 gallons, or a flat fee of $60.00 per billing cycle. Under the new billing methodology, sanitary sewer is billed at the same rate of $4.00 per 1,000 gallons consumed, however, the rate is charged for the entire volume of water metered at the residence. While the Village of Buffalo Grove selects the billing methodology, the rates paid for sanitary sewer service are established by the Lake County Board, which hasn't increased that rate since March 2010. As a result, the Village collects and remits 100 percent of the fees to Lake County under the terms of a sanitary sewer agreement established in 1972. During the first half of 2011, the Village's change in its billing method resulted in a reduction in the aggregate amount of sewer treatment fees paid to the County by Village residents of more than $500,000.

The Village incorporated a summer rate cap into its rate formulation, but the applicability of this cap to municipal users was brought into question by the County. The Village invoiced customers for the September billing without a rate cap until the matter could be resolved by the Village and Lake County. A series of meetings were held between Lake County and the Village and the parties agreed to apply a summer sewer cap for this summer's billing cycle to Buffalo Grove customers in an effort to align the sanitary sewer rate structure with actual system demand, net of irrigation and outdoor water consumption.

The cap provides for a summer sewer charge not to exceed 110 percent of the average of the prior eight months' (September-May) usage and is calculated separately for each residential meter. Village staff will be working to compute the amount by which affected consumers were overcharged for the Lake County sewer treatment fees, and an appropriate credit will be applied, if warranted, to the next water bill.

Village President Jeffrey Braiman noted County Board Chairman David Stolman's commendable effort to help bring the parties together and for creating an environment in which a resolution could be effectuated in a reasonable manner and within a reasonable time period. "The Village has long enjoyed a positive working relationship with the County, and it is based on our mutual respect that this resolution was accomplished," said Braiman.

Stolman added, "Maintaining a positive long term contractual relationship for sanitary sewer service is essential between the County and the Village, and I appreciate the frank and open dialogue with President Jeff Braiman to come to a mutually agreeable resolution on this issue."

Lake County Board Awards Winchester House Contract to Health Dimensions Group

The Lake County Board approved a contract with Health Dimensions Group (HDG) to take over the management and operations of Winchester House, Lake County's skilled nursing facility in Libertyville. Lake County will continue to maintain ownership and oversight of the facility.

In making its decision, county board members cited HDG's experience operating 22 skilled nursing facilities in four states, and specific experience acquiring and operating county nursing facilities, as well as HDG's performance outcomes and high satisfaction ratings from residents and families.

"This decision preserves the long-standing mission of Winchester House, which is to provide a safety-net for Lake County residents who need long-term nursing care," County Board Chairman David Stolman said. "HDG has a strong record of transitioning county owned facilities to privately managed facilities seamlessly, and retaining existing employees during that transition process."

The action was based on a recommendation from the Winchester House Advisory Board, which consists of individuals with healthcare and financial expertise, and two members of the county board. Their extensive analysis showed that the current financial model was not sustainable due to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid, and a higher wage/benefit structure than the private market, resulting in Winchester House losing its position in the marketplace. Therefore, the advisory board recommended transitioning to a county-owned, privately managed facility enabling Winchester House to operate more effectively in the marketplace, reduce costs, and preserve the mission.

It's estimated the change will save the County about $1.5 million annually, even with the debt service of a new facility. Winchester House is funded by a property tax levy (approved by voters in 1982), reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid, and private payments from residents. The current facility dates back to the 1940's and is in need of costly upgrades and repairs.

The county board vote to approve the contract was 15 to eight.