Forest Preserves board OKs new deal with Severson Dells, but negotiations may not be over yet

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Commissioners with the Forest Preserves of Winnebago County on Wednesday approved their side of an agreement meant to continue a longstanding partnership with Severson Dells Nature Center, a nonprofit that has effectively served as the educational arm of the district for nearly 50 years.

But it’s unlikely Severson’s board will sign off on the deal in its current form. Ann Wasser, Severson’s director, said the nonprofit’s board will likely propose revisions when it meets Thursday.

The major sticking point is how the proposed deal transfers the responsibility of employment to the nonprofit. Right now, the Forest Preserves, a public taxing body, is the employer of the small Severson staff and the nonprofit reimburses it for much of those costs.

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The new deal would put employment responsibilities in the hands of Severson, forcing it to handle payroll and human resources responsibilities and provide benefits that have always been handled by the taxing body.

“The forest preserves and Severson Dells have been partners for almost 50 years,” Wasser said. “Up until this coming week, employees at the nature center have always been through the forest preserve payroll system.”

She said contracting with an HR firm and providing benefits could cost an additional $100,000 annually to its roughly $500,000 budget.

“To have another $100,000 added to that when we don’t have development staff, it’s a heavy lift,” Wasser said. “Our board and staff are committed to doing it, obviously, because we believe in what we do and what we provide to the community.”

The Forest Preserves board has pledged to continue to support Severson, both financially and physically with maintenance services.

“We’ve always had every intention to continue to support them,” said Jeff Tilly, president of the Forest Preserves board. “Our primary responsibilities are to the taxpayers of Winnebago County, and the way the agreement was written was not a responsible method toward the taxpayers and it had to be changed.”

The Severson family donated their 369-acre farm to the Forest Preserves in 1975, and the family’s former home was converted into the nature center. The Forest Preserves maintains the property, which it owns, and has long partnered with the nonprofit to run a vast array of educational programs. But last year the Forest Preserve board gave notice of its plans to terminate the existing agreement with Severson, saying it was never properly approved by the board and that Severson should be the agency that employs its five workers.

The board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the new agreement, which would go into effect Sunday if approved by the Severson Board, and a lease for Severson to use the Forest Preserve-owned property. That lease would cost $1 a year.

“We did everything we could to ensure that Severson continues to grow, develop and provide education for children and our community,” Tilly said. “It’s a very important part of our mission statement and what we do is provide those lands for them to do that.”

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The board’s pledge to continue to provide financial support to Severson is spelled out in the agreement, but the amount isn’t specified. Wasser and other supporters of Severson Dells say that creates uncertainty that makes it difficult to plan.

Wasser also said the Severson board only saw the final agreement and lease less than 24 hours before it went to the Forest Preserves board. That has frustrated Severson employees and board members who feel like the board hasn’t effectively communicated with them as plans to forge a new deal have unfolded over several months starting late last year. Dozens of Severson supporters have filled Forest Preserves board meetings over the past few months.

Wasser said Severson may have to increase program fees for field trips and summer camps in the future if it needs to make up for the additional costs.

“We’re trying to limit the impact as much as possible because we want to remain accessible to the public,” she said. “We have been a free nature center for almost 50 years and we feel like we should be open and available and accessible to all, and we will do everything we can to continue that tradition.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.