GARDEN PLOTS Profile
The Ron Ory Community Garden Plots are available for rent each year to both residents and nonresidents from early May to mid-October. The May start date has been permanently set to offset staffing constraints and to consistently meet the weather challenges that can typically occur during early season soil preparations. In 2023, 99.4% of the 536 plots were rented. Due to an increased demand for raised beds, two additional beds were added and rented in 2023. An additional water station was also added in the second tier of the plots on the north side. The rental distribution among plots includes: 412 full- sized plots, 112 half-sized plots, and 12 raised plots. Garden plots revenues were slightly higher in 2023, compared to 2022, by approximately 6.0% or $1,200. Based on feedback gathered during the Garden Plots Site Master Plan, 4 ADA portlet units were installed for this year. In August, a survey was sent to all Garden Plots gardeners to determine
the level of interest in no-till/extended season plots, additional raised beds and the use of soil amendments. The District received responses from 144 current garden plots renters. Of those responses, 33% indicated an interest in obtaining a raised bed and 32% indicated an interest in a no- till/year-round garden plot. Staff are considering the feedback received and developing a plan for future improvements in these areas. Revenues for the Garden Plots include fees paid to rent the plots. Expenditures include wages, general supplies, contractual services for port-o- lets and yard waste removal, biannual plowing, postage, and printing. Garden Plots rental fees increased by $2 in 2023 and will increase by an additional $2 in 2024. The higher fees are necessary due to increased costs for contractual services, and supplies. A part-time coordinator will also be added in 2024 to assist with managing daily garden plots operations. The proposed revenue reflects this increase in fees and is based on a formula using resident rates.
The popular Pumpkin Smash recycling/composting event is scheduled annually in November; this community event collected and composted approximately 11,000 pounds of pumpkins in 2022 and is expected to compost even more in November of 2023. The Garden Plots section of the District’s budget also includes the Earth Day Fair and Shred Event. The Shred Event is held in collaboration with the Naperville Police Department and is planned to return in 2024. An Earth Day Fair is not budgeted to occur in 2024 due to declining interest among vendors to participate in the annual fair. Instead, the District will increase environmental programming at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center to coincide with the building’s 10 year anniversary. The return of the Earth Day Fair in 2025 will be evaluated next year.
GARDEN PLOTS
FINAL 2021 FINAL 2022 BUDGET 2023 PROJECTIONS 2023 BUDGET 2024 2024 VS. 2023 PROJ % 2024 VS. 2023 BUDGET %
REVENUE Charges for Services
$4,296
$2,003 21,440
$0
$0
$0
$0 0% 998 4%
$0 0%
Rental Income
21,115
23,507
22,637 2,000 24,637
23,635
128
1%
Alternative Revenue
900
1,850
1,000
(1,000) -50%
1,000 0% 1,128 5%
Total Revenue
26,311
25,293
23,507
24,635
(2)
0%
EXPENSES Wages & Benefits
1,528
1,051
2,500 1,400 14,633 18,533 $6,102
2,500 0% (1,252) -47% 1,427 11% 2,675 17% ($2,677) -30%
2,500 0%
Supplies
772
719
1,400 11,922 13,322 $10,185
2,652 13,206 15,858 $8,779
0 0%
Contractual Services Total Expenditures
12,857 15,157 $11,154
10,417 12,187
2,711 5,211
23% 39% -40%
Surplus/(Deficit)
$13,106
($4,083)
2024 BUDGET 58
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