Cook County Board President Richard Phelan`s staff is developing a five-year plan for remodeling of all county buildings to rein in annual
expenditures that have been running up to $1 million over budget.
Phelan`s staff also is developing an energy conservation program designed to save between $1 million and $1.7 million over the next three years, including part of the energy sources at County Jail.
Mary Decker, director of capital planning and policy, said the five-year capital improvements will require that all remodeling and rehabilitation proposals be submitted to a review team composed of representatives of all major departments.
Lack of a coordinated policy in past years resulted in piecemeal purchase of supplies and costly use of overtime, Decker said. This lack of planning caused needed maintenance work to be deferred, she said.
The county spent $16.4 million on its construction and maintenance budget in 1989 after budgeting only $15.9 million and spent $19.4 million in 1990 after budgeting $18.4 million, she said.
After all year-end bills are paid the county is expected to spend about $17.5 million for 1991, well over its $16.5 million budget, she said.
