Elmhurst property owners who want to see exactly how the Park District spent their tax dollars can now review the certified financial audit for fiscal year 2025 in person at the district's administrative office.
The 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, announced Wednesday, July 9, shows the district finished the year with $182.9 million in total assets and a net position of $62.2 million. That net position grew by $3.6 million over the prior year, according to the audit prepared by Director of Finance Barbara J. Stembridge.
Naperville-based firm Lauterbach & Amen LLP conducted the audit and issued a clean opinion on June 26, stating the district's financial statements "present fairly, in all material respects" its financial position as of Dec. 31, 2025.
What the numbers show
The district collected $22.2 million in general revenues during the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2025. Property taxes accounted for $16.6 million of that total, with interest income contributing another $4.8 million.
Long-term debt stood at $88.9 million, reflecting the $89.95 million in general obligation park bonds issued in early 2025 after voters approved a referendum in November 2024. Moody's rated that bond issuance Aa1.
Those bonds are funding a slate of capital projects: replacement of the Wagner Community Center, a new bandshell at Wilder Park, heated restrooms at three parks and along the Prairie Path, and artificial turf at Berens Park. The district's referendum plan calls for Wagner Center construction to begin in 2026, with the new facility opening in fall 2027.
How to inspect the audit
Residents can review the full report at the Elmhurst Park District Administrative Office, 375 W. First St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The district will post the audit on its main website after the Board of Park Commissioners formally approves it — no date has been set for that vote — but a PDF is already available for download at epd.org/news/notice-availability-annual-audit.
Context
The Park District serves roughly 46,100 residents across 16,795 households, managing 458 acres of parkland in 30 parks. It operates Courts Plus, two outdoor heated pools, Sugar Creek Golf Course (jointly with Villa Park), Wilder Mansion, and the Wilder Park Conservatory.
The district has earned the Government Finance Officers Association's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 18 consecutive years through fiscal year 2024 and is submitting the FY2025 report for the same recognition.
Executive Director James W. Rogers and Stembridge signed the audit's transmittal letter. The seven-member Board of Park Commissioners is led by President Kevin Graf and Vice President Claire Kubiesa.
