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MICHAEL SKALA: Candidate Profile

McHenry County Board District 5 (Republican)

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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: HUNTLEYWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 5 Age: 44Family: WIFE - CAROLDAUGHTERS - CHARLOTTE, ANNAOccupation: SELF-EMPLOYEDEducation: Bachelor of Science in Operational Management and Information Systems from Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Soccer Coach for Huntley Park District, Many activities at Resurrection Catholic Church, Snow City Arts, Special Olympics of Illinois, District 158 Education Foundation, Tooling and Manufacturing Association, Midwest Fastener AssociationElected offices held: I served for 14 years as a member and as President of the Board of Education for Community Consolidated School District 158, McHenry County Board MemberQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?The biggest issue in McHenry County is taxes, and I'm seeking reelection to continue my work in that area. I appreciate the opportunity to make decisions that shape County policy, and I have a reputation for doing my research and understanding the impacts of decisions. I chair the Finance Committee, and have voted every year for a reduced budget. This year the County is reducing the levy by an additional $3 million. That is money that will stay in the residents' pockets. Additionally, I have introduced tax-saving strategies, like abatements, that the County could use to further reduce tax pressures.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?My main contributions can be seen through the three committees that I have served on for my years on the County Board. On Planning Development, I helped consolidate the rules and regulations for land development into one comprehensive document, the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). On the Finance Committee, I work to maintain our Aaa bond rating which saves taxpayers money, and also insist on responsible budgets that have been reduced each year while I have been on that committee. I also serve on the Management Services Committee where we oversee the County communications with the residents.Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them. In particular in the suburbs, President Preckwinkle has set a goal of eliminating unincorporated areas from county oversight. Do you agree with this approach? If so, how should the county go about it?As a board member, I have never voted to take increased tax revenue allowed through PTELL. By not taking this available tax revenue, taxpayers have saved an estimated $10 million. Each year I make tough choices regarding what programs/services the County should be spending its resources on, and I do this by weighing the cost of a service/program verses the outcomes it achieves. They are difficult decisions that often impact our most vulnerable citizens, but I believe the County must live within its means and deliver services at the lowest possible cost. No, I do not agree with President Preckwinkle.How do you rate the county government on transparency and the public's access to records? If you consider it adequate, please explain why. If you think improvements are needed, please describe them and why they are important.Our County is very transparent. All contracts, minutes, resolutions, ordinances, voting records, expenses and revenues can be accessed by anyone at any time on the County website. Each department continues to improve levels of transparency by scanning more documents and adding them to the website in a timely manner.Please list any elected office you have ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?Before being elected to the McHenry County Board in December of 2012, I served for 14 years as a member and as President of the Board of Education for Community Consolidated School District 158, serving the students, families and taxpayers of Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Lakewood and Union. I am also the Republican Precinct Committeeman for Grafton 1.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am dedicated to spending the time needed to be an effective County Board member. I take the job very seriously and feel that I am a servant of the people who elected me. My job on the board is to represent the needs, concerns and priorities of the people of District 5, while ensuring that the County's delivery of services is done in the most cost-effective way possible.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The Pope, he pushes back at the status quo of Catholic Traditions to do the work of Jesus. He inspires Christians to be compassionate.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Take ownership when you make a mistake. Learn from the mistake and do whatever you can to make it right and ask for forgiveness.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not change anything. Every bad situation taught me important life lessons and made me a stronger, wiser person.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I had favorite people not subjects. Book knowledge gave me basic skill sets, people gave me life knowledge that I use every day.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find a career that you have a passion about. There is nothing worse than spending 40-50 hours a week doing something you dislike.