Vernon Hills candidates stress financial vigilance

Years of cost cutting has put Vernon Hills in an enviable spot among communities, with a balanced budget, high credit rating and plenty of reserves in the bank.

The concentration now for village board candidates is to remain vigilant on spending but ensure the retail engine that funds a good portion of day-to-day expenses stays strong, including the continued use of incentives as warranted.

Four candidates, including three incumbents, are seeking three, 4-year terms in the April 5 election.

Veteran trustee Cindy Hebda, an early childhood educator, who has served on the board since 1993, joins incumbents Jeanne (Schwartz) Sanders, a food and beverage manager and former village clerk, and Michael Marquardt, a real estate developer, in seeking to continue their tenures.

Newcomer Thomas Newberg, a finance professional, who has served 17 years on the village's zoning board of appeals, completes the field.

Information comes from questionnaires and interviews with the candidates.

Incumbents say they have successfully planned ahead for the economic downturn in part by adjusting the budget every six months, freezing salaries and not replacing employees who leave.

None of the four candidates support establishing a village property tax to increase revenue.

The village work force has dropped to 99 employees from 128 nearly 10 years ago, representing a saving of about $1 million a year, according to Sanders, who lists maintaining financial solvency as her top issue.

“Our financial situation is quite good compared to other towns,” she said, adding the village has weathered the storm while amassing $18 million in reserves and raising its bond rating.

“Along with keeping our storefronts occupied, we have also looked for other ways to generate income,” she added, and noted four cell towers net $66,000 a year in payments, a figure that could increase substantially over time.

Sanders said the village needs to stay in close contact with state legislators to ensure the village's revenue stream is preserved. She also suggested a smart phone application to showcase retailers, and improving the village website to make it easier for would-be shoppers.

Hebda said maintaining the village's financial strength is a priority.

“We are not going to spend more than we can afford,” she said.

Another goal for Hebda is to keep a close relationship with the business community. She suggested collaborating with business parks to promote jobs. She said she would continue to support financial incentives to retain and attract business.

“We'd rather see a storefront filled than something that's empty,” she said. “Right now, the frustration is (with) Westfield, let's face it.”

Westfield Group, which owns and operates the Hawthorn regional mall, proposed extensive upgrades a few years ago but those plans never materialized.

“We're going to have to really hound them,” Hebda said of the mall operator, and noted the village “should be ready to offer appropriate incentives” if that's what it needs to pursue renovations.

Marquardt said maintaining and increases sales tax revenue was his top issue, and noted the village has more than 4 million square feet of commercial space. Incentives have been used to lure five new businesses that will have contributed to cutting the vacancy rate nearly in half to 8 percent from 15 percent, he added.

“I would also support offering incentives to real estate developers for the construction of new commercial businesses to be built on vacant land,” Marquardt said. “For example, there are over 100 acres along Route 21.”

Newberg said his main reason for running was so the Gregg's Landing area would have representation on the board, but he listed maintaining a balanced budget and attracting businesses as other priorities.

He said his background in corporate development with large companies and his experience as a chief financial officer would be valuable in developing new and existing business in the village, as well as keeping the village budget on track.

Getting the “right tenants” for the remainder of the commercial property at Gregg's Landing is also a consideration for Newberg. He added he has seen shopping malls deteriorate in other areas, and if Westfield begins to go that route it would result in problems.

Managing cut-through and truck traffic through Gregg's Landing, connecting bike paths and formulating a comprehensive plan to address the emerald ash borer in Gregg's Landing were other priorities for Newberg.