Michael Skala: Candidate Profile

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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: www.mikeskala.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board District 5 Age: 45Family: Wife - CarolDaughters - Charlotte, AnnaOccupation: Self-EmployedEducation: OMIS from Northern IL UniversityCivic involvement: Active in Resurrection Catholic Church. Midwest Fastener Association. Technology and Manufacturing Association. District 158 Education Foundation. CEO Peer Group.Elected offices held: District 158 School BoardMcHenry County BoardQuestions Answers There were significant voting problems in the March primary. Are you confident sufficient steps have been taken to avoid a repeat in November? What role, if any, should the county board have in such matters?Issues surrounding the March election caused many people to question the integrity of the process and the results. Voters, poll workers and candidates were extremely frustrated. The State Board of Elections offered many suggestions to improve the process, and the County Clerk has implemented several changes to ensure a smoother process this November. Personally, I spoke with the Clerk, expressed my specific concerns and asked how I could assist. As a board, we can approve new contracts to change and improve the process, but outside of our voting authority our role is limited by statute.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. Last year the County reduced the levy by $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.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.High taxes remain the chief threat for citizens of McHenry County, and as board member I have never voted to take increased tax revenue allowed through PTELL. By not taking this available tax revenue, taxpayers have saved about $14 million. Each year I make tough choices regarding what programs/services should be funded, 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 absolute lowest possible cost.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. I have supported initiatives that have been proposed by elected officials or department heads to improve efficiencies and transparency in their departments. Sometimes money needs to be spent on new equipment, contractors to do the work and system upgrades, but the rate of return pays for itself in the short term.Please list any elected office you've 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 November 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. I vote based on all available information. Sometimes I'm in the majority and sometimes in the minority, but I can always explain why I voted the way I did.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am still looking for a political leader. The Pope is my spiritual leader.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard if you want something.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend it on someone else. I would not be who and where I am today unless I experienced all of the low spots.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I did not have a favorite. Anything social was fun for me.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always be honest. Honest to yourself, honest to others and honest in your dealings in life.