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McHenry County Board strategizes for 2012

Charging stormwater permit fees to government entities, creating a public information officer position for the McHenry County Division of Transportation, and conducting more efficient county board meetings were among the topics discussed at a strategic planning session Friday by the McHenry County Board.

County Administrator Peter Austin and several department heads gave an overview of the feedback they received in December from county board members about objectives for 2012.

Board members overall pointed to their desire for fiscal restraint and avoiding placing an undue tax burden on residents, while also maintaining an AAA bond rating and a minimum of five months’ cash reserves, said Assistant County Administrator for Finance Ralph Sarbaugh.

The county’s stormwater ordinance needs revision and updating, said Dennis Sandquist, McHenry County director of planning and development. If the county hires an outside firm to do the work, that could amount to a $150,000 expense, he said after the meeting.

The county could recoup some money by charging stormwater permit fees to government entities like townships and school districts, Sandquist said. Those fees have been historically waived and amounted to about $33,000 last year, he said.

Some board members also suggested asking local municipalities to contribute to the cost of revising the ordinance.

This year, MCDOT expects to wrap up design projects for Fleming Road in Bull Valley, Alden Road in Hartland and Alden townships, and Randall Road from Crystal Lake to Algonquin. Those plans have elicited negative reactions from some residents, county officials said.

Board member Sandra Fay Salgado said she’s in favor of hiring a public relations person for MCDOT. “The department has come under a lot of heat, and sometimes it’s not the correct information (being circulated),” she said.

Board member Ersel Schuster disagreed. “We’re not going to satisfy everybody. I just see another can of worms with more money being spent,” she said.

Improving county board meetings was also discussed. Board member Paula Yensen suggested that board members prepare documents in advance to outline proposed amendments to agenda items.

There was also some discussion about whether comments by board members should be limited during meetings. “The trade-off is participation versus efficiency,” board member Donna Kurtz said. “I am not willing to make that trade-off. This is democracy in action.”

Sarbaugh also said the staff plans to provide informational sessions — a “McHenry County U.” of sorts — about policies and procedures to county board members.

The 2012 plan also includes creating a budget task force, composed of standing committee chairmen who will meet on the second Friday of the month February through May.

No decisions were made and discussions will continue at committee level.

Goals: Board members disagree on limiting their own comment time

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