Donna Kurtz: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Crystal LakeWebsite: http://www.donnakurtz.comOffice sought: McHenry County board District 2Age: 52Family: Married to Paul, step-daughter, Tavi JaneOccupation: Director of Business Development for an IT Consulting CompanyEducation: BA in Pre-law, History, Southern Illinois, 1981 MBA with concentrations in Computer Science and Marketing, University of Illinois at Springfield, 1983Civic involvement: 2003-2005: McHenry County Family Service and Mental Health Center Board Member 2008 - Present: Republican Precinct CommitteemanElected offices held: 2005-2010: McHenry County College Trustee 2010 - Present: McHenry County Board MemberHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I have been a strong voice for smaller, more efficient government.Specifically I advocated decreasing the size of the county board; promoting practical transportation solutions, such as maintaining the Fleming Road footprint; supporting the freezing or elimination of county government positions; and opposing expensive capital building projects.During these difficult economic times, McHenry County must avoid unnecessary capital development which does not directly contribute to McHenry County's economic growth.Specifically I believe that investment in transportation and infrastructure makes economic sense.I will be inclined to support improvements and repair for our roads and bridges.However, I am not in favor of supporting new construction to house government expansion.These projects cost millions; and have an exponential cost impact on taxpayers for years to come.In addition, we must take care in not engaging in expensive transportation and road projects that require excessive bond issuances that could be onerous on future taxpayers.In closing, as your County Board Member I will push County government to continually assess itself to look for ways to consolidate, restructure, and out-source so the needs of the taxpayer can be best provided in a cost-effective manner.Ultimately I believe the County will be more fiscally responsible through smaller, not larger government.Key Issue 2 McHenry County should focus on retaining and promoting a diverse portfolio of businesses who can offer high paying jobs and excellent work environments.Today we have excellent training and learning environments available through MCC and Workforce Investment Board, as well as other organizations.Developing skilled workers is essential to our success in the global economy.To attract new business to the County, we must fight higher taxes by avoiding increased spending and capital development that does not directly contribute to economic development.Also County Government must consistently encourage responsible economic initiatives and activities within our municipalities rather than developing industrial parks in unincorporated areas of the counties where infrastructure development would ultimate result in higher taxes.On the other hand, local communities already possess the infrastructure, as well as schools, parks, shopping, etc., that can attractive businesses that may wish to relocate here.Finally, County government must assume a leadership role to foster growth of entrepreneurs who can be a pivotal for our long-term economic prosperity.This can be done by partnering with MCC and other organizations for grants available through the Federal government and other organizations to promote local industries such as high tech, clean tech, and green tech so our homegrown talent has the opportunity to grow and develop businesses in new industries which offer much potential.Key Issue 3 1. County Government must always be vigilant when it comes to protecting the property values of the citizens of McHenry County.In the Crystal Lake area for example, I worked with others to incorporate the Crystal Lake Watershed Ordinance into County ordinances.In addition, I led County Board support of the CL City Council decision to deny a spot development in the Crystal Lake Watershed that was not in conformance to the CL Watershed Ordinance. Both of these actions will help to protect property values in the Crystal Lake watershed area by alleviating threats of flooding and water damage.The work ahead in the upcoming year will include supporting core services for our citizens so our roads are maintained, our water quality and quantity is protected, and our community enjoys an environment of safety and justice that on-going.Ultimately, I believe our property values and our community will more readily recover economically if these services are maintained with appropriate funding.Questions Answers McHenry County has managed the recession without a budgetary crisis like those in other counties. How do you ensure the county continues on that path and that reserves aren't depleted? Are there specific budget areas that need more attention?I believe the County can be more fiscally responsible through smaller, not larger government. One of the practices that I support includes altering the current budgeting process to focus on cost cutting opportunities at the beginning of the fiscal year.This will allow a rational approach to reduce or eliminate county services, which can then allow for an intelligent approach to reduce the scope and price tag associated with County Government.In addition, during these difficult economic times, McHenry County must avoid unnecessary capital development which does not directly contribute to McHenry County's economic growth.In addition, I am not in favor of supporting new construction to house government expansion.On the other hand, I believe that investment in transportation and infrastructure makes economic sense.I will be inclined to support improvements and repair for our roads and bridges.However, these projects cost millions; and have an exponential cost impact on taxpayers for years to come.In addition, we must take care in not engaging in expensive transportation and road projects that require excessive bond issuances that could be onerous on future taxpayers, and are unrealistic for the County to undertake.In a similar manner, County Government must constantly reassess adding completely new services in the context of whether these services will result in the expansion of the mission of the McHenry County Board.Even key functions which are core to county functions which relate to such as land use, transportation, drinking water quality and availability, and public health and safety must be examined because ultimately, expanding government will result in higher expenses and taxes. In closing, as your County Board Member I will push County government to continually assess itself to look for ways to consolidate, reduce, restructure, not expand so the needs of the taxpayer can best provided in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.Does the McHenry County Board have a good transportation improvement plan? Please be specific and suggest whether you think anything is missing or should be scrapped.The McHenry County Highway Improvement Plan (HIP) has been developed by a dedicated and talented engineering staff from the McHenry County Department of Transpiration (McDOT).The HIP provides a strategic vision to address the transportation needs of the county by defining a framework of activities, investments, and implementation strategies.This level of planning is essential in order to manage and address McHenry County's evolving transportation requirements.The development of the HIP document is also vital for elected officials, both County and local government officials, because if affords them with the opportunity to assess, evaluate, and provide input.Two areas of concern in the 2012 HIP that I have identified and communicated to my fellow board members and to McDOT are as follows: 1. Fleming Road repair construction should focus on the less costly alternative of keeping the road with the same dimensions as it exists today.This is also in keeping with the objectives and support of the local community and its elected officials. 2. Randall Road improvement project proposes to use innovative solutions to address the growing congestion of this important regional arterial road.Because the estimated cost of the project is over $80 million dollars we must understand funding source availability for the solutions under consideration so that the County does not overextend itself in the years ahead, thus burdening future generations.Secondly, any solution that is implemented must receive the support of the municipalities that are impacted by these changes.In my role as a County Board member representing this area I will work with the Village of Lake in the Hills, McDOT, and other County and local Government officials to ensure that a collaborative mutually acceptable agreement for the Randall Road improvement project is reached.Does the county need to address its ethics policies' Why or why not? If so, how?Since becoming a County Board member a little over a year ago I have contributed toward increased transparency and accountability in County Government by promoting the introduction of Open Meetings Act training, an on-line County Board member attendance tracking system, and supporting term limits for County leadership. However, I believe an assessment of the ethics policies and procedures that promote good government and honest and fair financial exchanges should be conducted on a periodic basis.For example, the current McHenry County Ethics Ordinance focuses on inappropriate political activities that might be conducted by public officials.An comprehensive assessment process will help to identify other areas of concern and potential recommendations to address these concerns.Assess McHenry County's efforts thus far in terms of groundwater preservation and protection. What needs to be done now and in the future?McHenry County Government has undertaken a number of positive actions to monitor groundwater utilization which notably includes the completion of the 2030 Plan.Now the County is currently involved in the development of a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) which will create a means to enforce the land use provisions of the 2030 Plan.Key input that I have provided in the UDO development process includes specifying that new developments should be placed contiguous to existing cities and towns so we do not destroy our open spaces and farmland.Land developments put in areas that are currently open spaces, also known as 'spot development',places enormous numbers of rooftops and asphalt in open space areas that currently provide critical recharge to underlying aquifers.Limiting the rainfall and surface water runoff hurts infiltration and effective recharge of the underlying aquifers groundwater levels. As a result, the sustainability of critical water supplies in McHenry County is jeopardized.As a county board member I will address these harmful gaps by supporting provisions, such as supporting contiguous development provisions in the UDO.I believe that conservatively interpreting 2030 Plan is necessary to protect the quality and quantity of our precious drinking water.Long term these proactive measures will provide water availability for generations to come and will ensure that McHenry County remains a highly desirable area to work, live, and raise a family,Assess how the county health department approached the whooping cough outbreak. What should have been done differently?Pertussis, or whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing. It also can have very serious effects which can cause permanent disability in infants, and even death.McHenry County had a record number of pertussis cases by December, 2011.As cases of pertussis mounted in the months of October -- December of 2012 the McHenry County Department of Health monitored this situation and provided prevention and vaccination recommendations that were communicated to the public through 9 different press releases.In addition, Health Department officials conducted communications to school RNs in McHenry County regarding the threat of Whooping Cough in August of 2011.School officials and medical staff also received direction and information on advising families who have children with Whooping Cough.This information was provided in August and October of 2011.Further proactive actions that I recommend include offering easier access to vaccinations in the summer months, as well as understanding the causes for this outbreak.The evaluation and assessment of the outbreak causes will help in preparing for 2012 so the threat of pertussis has the potential to be substantially minimized.