Steven Gaugel: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles City Council Ward 4

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:BioQA Bio City: Saint CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles City Council Ward 4 Age: 44Family: Wife Jennifer 4 Children: Elizabeth, Julia, Charlie and BrigitaOccupation: Senior Project Procurement Administrator, FermilabEducation: BA University of Illinois Urbana - ChampaignCivic involvement: Member, 2013 Comprehensive Plan Task Force, City of St. Charles; Current Plan Commission Member, City of St. Charles; St. Charles Boys Baseball Coach, Tri Cities Chargers Football Coach, St. Charles Girls Softball CoachElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Experience makes me the best candidate for 4th Ward Alderman in St. Charles. I have been active with the City of St. Charles having served on the 2013 Comprehensive Plan Task Force, and currently serve on the Plan Commission. The Comprehensive Plan is an outline for the vision of the city over the next 20 years. The Plan Commission reviews current applications for rezoning, special use and new developments brought to the City. Having grown up in St. Charles, I have an understanding of, and appreciation for, the history of St. Charles. With my level of activity in city government, l have an excellent understanding of the future vision for St. Charles. Also, my current position working as a Senior Project Procurement Administrator at Fermilab, provides me a foundation for government contracting, negotiation, and cost savings. This government business experience, along with my existing involvement with the City of St. Charles makes me the best candidate for 4th Ward Alderman.What is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales and property taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.Sales tax needs to be in line with our neighboring cities in order to maintain and grow our retail base. A sales tax that is lower than surrounding communities will act as an incentive for business to locate here. In addition, it will draw consumers to St. Charles businesses to shop. St. Charles currently is a half percent higher than our neighbor, Geneva. I would not support any increase in sales tax and would be in favor of exploring the possibility of reducing it to be in line with our neighbors, Geneva in particular. If anything, our sales tax is high. On property taxes, St. Charles has done a good job of not raising their tax levy over the past six years. Given the current economic climate and real estate value fluctuations, the resulting tax rate may vary, and the City needs to remain conscious of this. Currently, the property tax rate appears to be right. With that said, I would not support an increase in the property tax levy. As economic conditions change, we need to ensure our property taxes do not increase. If possible, we should look at reducing the real estate tax burden by decreasing the tax levy when the economy improves. Bottom line, St Charles needs to continue to operate within its means.Rate the efficiency of your town's police and fire coverage. Are the departments well prepared for the next decade? What, if anything, should be changed? Do you have specific public safety concerns?The coverage and efficiency of St Charles Police and Fire departments has been very good. The Police Department has done a very good job of being an active component in our community. With many of the community outreach programs they have, such as "Too Good For Drugs" in our elementary schools, they are taking the initiative to educate and engage citizens. The evidence of this success is in the reduction of crime and calls for service since 2009. The Fire Department has a newer facility in downtown St. Charles. Around four years ago, the Fire Department had coverage for an area greater than what they currently serve when they serviced the Countryside Fire Protection District - a service that was discontinued. As a result, the existing infrastructure is adequate to service the City of St. Charles, an area smaller than previously served. The Fire Department has done a very good job in having facilities and personnel necessary to maintain a safe community. I do not have specific public safety concerns or recommendations for changes for either the Police or Fire Departments. Both departments are well prepared for continued service for the next decade.Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?St. Charles has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by having a balanced budget while funding numerous capital projects for the good of the City and its residents. The current budget continues to show fiscal responsibility and I agree with the allocations for expenditures. An area that I would like to ensure is not neglected in future budgets would be on infrastructure and utility upgrades. In particular, old utilities need to be continually upgraded to be brought up to current standards. Repeat water main breaks that are the result of old pipes need to be fully addressed and not dealt with only when they become a problem. In addition, the City should look at increasing funding for some of the existing repeated flooding that takes place, (for example, the creek that runs in the neighborhood around Illinois Avenue between 8th Avenue and 11th Avenue). While the current budgets allocations are appropriate, I would strive to ensure allocations are made in future budgets to address and permanently fix repeated issues as mentioned above.What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?St. Charles has an opportunity to develop the old Union Pacific Railroad spur that ran through the city from Tyler Road to approximately 13th Avenue. We have an opportunity to make a corridor that has the potential to bring new retail to the city. This corridor could not only be used for new retail, but also serve as a back entrance for the auto dealerships, and serve as a bike path with a potential connection to the Great Western Trail. It would also serve to alleviate an existing problem - traffic congestion on Route 64. I also believe it could revitalize the eastern retail corridor leading to less vacancy between 7th Avenue and the old Charlestowne Mall property, now Quad St. Charles. The former Union Pacific spur was identified in the 2013 Comprehensive Plan as having potential for this type of corridor. I feel this is something the St. Charles City Council should explore in greater detail.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is critical that elected officials are a voice of the people they serve. I am interested in representing the people of the 4th ward in St. Charles and being their voice on City Council. Issues that are important to the residents need to be heard and responded to. I have the ability to listen to the residents, the experience and understanding to respond thoroughly, and the vision for the future of the City of St. Charles. Most importantly, I have the desire to be a member of the St. Charles City Council to help ensure St. Charles remains an outstanding place to live.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Cardinal Francis George. His patience in dealing with his critics, humility in life, and eloquence in handling life threatening health issues I find inspiring.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?There is no substitute for hard work.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I do not have regrets or wish for "do-overs". I firmly believe all past experiences lead to the person I am today.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?At the University of Illinois, I took courses in real estate finance. It has served me well in all of my real estate transactions.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Have confidence in yourself. Others will then see you as a leader.