Park District Audit Shows General Fund Surplus Despite Slight Dip in Net Position

Mokena Community Park District Meeting | December 16, 2025

Article Summary: The Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners accepted the annual audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. While the District’s overall net position decreased slightly due to pension liabilities, the General Fund reported a surplus of $234,000.

Audit Key Points:

• Net Position: Totaled $25,426,878, a decrease of $135,230 (0.5%) from the previous year.

• General Fund: Ended with a balance of $966,837, an increase of roughly 32% over the prior year.

• Cause of Decline: The decrease in overall net position was largely attributed to an increase in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Net Pension Liability.

• Debt: Total outstanding debt stood at $6,247,325 as of June 30, 2025.

MOKENA — The Mokena Community Park District remains in solid financial standing, though rising pension liabilities contributed to a slight dip in the district’s overall net position for the 2025 fiscal year. On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the Board of Commissioners formally accepted the Annual Financial Report following a presentation by auditor Brad Porter of Lauterbach & Amen, LLP.

The audit, covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, issued an unmodified opinion, indicating the financial statements fairly represent the district’s financial position.

According to the Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the report, the District’s total net position stands at approximately $25.4 million. This represents a decrease of $135,230 compared to 2024. The report explicitly noted that the “negative change in net position… was largely attributable to an increase in the IMRF Net Pension Liability.”

Despite the slight drop in total net position, the District’s operating funds showed strength. The General Fund, which covers general administration and maintenance, reported a surplus of $234,000 for the year. This increase was driven by higher property tax and grant revenues, combined with lower-than-budgeted capital expenditures.

“The General Fund actual expenditures for the year were $330,290 lower than budgeted,” the report stated, citing deferred capital outlay projects as a contributing factor.

Conversely, the Recreation Fund saw a decrease in its fund balance of $237,369, primarily due to a drop in charges for services.

Following the presentation, commissioners expressed satisfaction with the results. “Good news Karen [LaPointe], we are about six months away from starting this all over again,” joked Commissioner Steve Jacobson regarding the annual audit cycle.