McHenry Dist. 2 hopeulfs talk funding
Democrat Mark Booras of Crystal Lake, incumbent Republican Kenneth D. Koehler of Crystal Lake and Republican Donna Kurtz of Crystal Lake are vying to fill two seats in District 2 of the McHenry County Board in the Nov. 2 election. Here are their thoughts on issues selected from a Daily Herald questionnaire sent to each candidate.
Q. As revenues, both from local sources and the state, are likely to keep falling in the year ahead, how should the county adjust its spending priorities related to the office you are seeking? Please be as specific as possible.
Mark Booras. I support reducing the number of county board seats from 24 to 18. I support implementing a private-sector style incentive program to financially reward all county employees who find ways to save money in their departments or anywhere in county government.
Kenneth D. Koehler. We have been extremely diligent, especially over the last two years, in watching county expenditures very closely. Through cooperation and collaboration with department heads and all employees, we have made cuts where cuts were warranted. Recently, more than $1 million was saved when the county transitioned to a self-funded insurance program. In addition, unless a position is needed for health or safety reasons, we are not filling open positions when employees retire or leave. Some purchases have been delayed, and programs modified. As contracts are renegotiated, steps are taken to be fair to union and nonunion employees while also protecting the county’s limited dollars. We are always looking for departmental efficiencies through the use of modern technology. These cost-controlling efforts have been effective, because McHenry County is one of few Illinois counties that balances its budget every year and maintains fund balances for emergencies. The solid financial footing McHenry County enjoys is rare in Illinois, and McHenry County serves as a model of good governance that other counties strive to emulate. Just recently McHenry County’s wise financial practices was recognized with the granting of the highest bond rating of AAA. McHenry County is the smallest county in the United States that has this bond rating and is one of only three counties in the state of Illinois that has earned this prestigious bond rating.
Donna Kurtz. During these difficult economic times, as well for the future, McHenry County must keep taxes low by avoiding capital development that does not directly contribute to economic development. Transportation investment makes economic sense and so I will be inclined to support building and repair of our roads and bridges. However, I am not in favor of supporting new building to house government expansion. These projects cost millions; and have an exponential cost impact on taxpayers for years to come. I believe government can be more fiscally responsible through smaller, not larger government.
Q. Kane County, which like McHenry initially banned video gaming machines from bars and other approved establishments, now will allow the machines. Should McHenry County follow suit, or should it remain opposed? How is your position best for county voters?
Booras. We do not need to invest in gambling to pay our bills.
Koehler. I voted in favor of video gaming. It is difficult to find revenue sources to fund the county’s $1 billion road and infrastructure needs. I do not support a local tax increase to fund these projects. Therefore, the county must be open to funding streams provided by the state. However, I felt at the time and still feel today that it was premature for the county board to position itself for or against this revenue source prior to the state adopting its rules and regulations that governs it. McHenry County loses significant funding if these revenues do not materialize. These potential losses include a:
타 30 percent reduction of the county’s $315 million state road funds;
타 30 percent reduction of capital funding for McHenry County College;
타 30 percent reduction in capital funding for McHenry County’s grade schools and high schools;
타 30 percent reduction in state funded municipal public works projects.
It would also be unfortunate to jeopardize the construction jobs that would be created by these capital improvements.
Kurtz. The rationale for video gambling is to generate millions in revenue to pay for road and infrastructure projects to create much needed jobs in McHenry County. However, my experience with capital projects that “pay for themselves and generate revenue as advertised,” leads me to a different conclusion. Based on current trends and because the cost of ongoing regulation and support for video gambling is unknown, the state has not proven that gaming is a reliable way to support public services. Recent trends indicate that revenue from existing casinos and gambling equipment declined in Illinois compared with last year. Secondly, current legislation does not define regulatory processes and infrastructure for video gambling. Simply put, until the state understands costs associated with building and managing video gambling in Illinois, this appears to be a very risky funding approach in which the only parties that are sure to benefit will be the companies selling Illinois the millions of dollar worth of video gambling equipment and services. Since there is little assurance that real funds will be available for the jobs that are so desperately needed in McHenry County I think video gambling is an irresponsible funding approach.