McHenry County Board chairman candidates debate how to lower tax burden

The two candidates facing off in the first countywide election for McHenry County Board chairman have different ideas for how to reduce the tax burden on residents.

Incumbent Joe Gottemoller, 58, and challenger Michael Walkup, 66, both of whom are Crystal Lake attorneys and District 3 board members, are vying for the Republican nomination March 15. They said they have voted against county tax hikes in recent years and reduced county expenses.

If elected, Walkup said that trend would continue. He would actively campaign against tax increases, he said, and would continue looking at ways to streamline county departments. That practice, he said, would hopefully "trickle down" to other units of local government.

"I think what we've succeeded in doing is shining a spotlight on that issue," Walkup said. "If what we do sets an example, these other bodies follow suit."

But Gottemoller said cutting expenses and lowering taxes can only go so far before the county will need to broaden its tax base. To do that, he said, the county needs to bring more businesses to what has become largely a bedroom community.

Because the county lacks major interstates, Gottemoller said, officials need to focus on getting "secondary roads up to speed" to make transportation easier for large companies. In the meantime, he said, the county should market its location in relation to major airports, which might make the area more attractive to high-value industrial companies.

"We've got to get growth back," he said. "You need to balance the commercial and industrial growth with the housing boom."

Regarding future development, however, Walkup said Gottemoller's job as a zoning, development and real estate attorney is a conflict of interest. He questioned whether Gottemoller is using his position as chairman to "enhance his law practice."

Gottemoller denied those claims, saying he doesn't represent companies or individuals in front of the county board or the county's tax appeal review board.

"I don't think it's appropriate that I would appoint a board member and then appear in front of (the review board)," he said. "So I removed myself from that work, and I will continue to remove myself from that work."

But Gottemoller said he may represent groups in front of municipalities, which Walkup said could be unfair to residents opposing a project.

"How would they feel - a group of citizens wanting to object to something - if the lawyer representing the developer is the chairman of the county board?" Walkup said. "These exact relationships give the public the impression that the skids are being greased. It erodes confidence in county government."

Gottemoller said his job has allowed him to work with almost every municipality within the county, giving him a unique perspective as chairman.

"The experience I have over the past 30 years is exactly why you want me in this job," he said. "I know what's of interest in these towns, and I know what they're concerned about because I was there and I worked with them."