McHenry County board hopefuls discuss budget, cuts, Valley Hi
Three Republicans are vying in the Feb. 2 primary for McHenry County Board District 1. Cary resident Yvonne Barnes, 48, a technical communications consultant and Cary resident Robert Novak are challenging incumbent Anna May Miller, 56, of Cary, an Algonquin Township Road District administrative assistant. Here are their thoughts on issues selected from a Daily Herald questionnaire sent to each candidate. Nowak did not respond to the questionnaire.
Q. If county revenues remain flat or decline as expected in 2010, what specific measures would you suggest or support to maintain a balanced budget without raising taxes or dipping deeply into county reserves?
Yvonne Barnes. Eliminate county board member expense accounts to lead by example. Freeze employee positions resulting from retirements and resignations. Review collective bargaining agreements. Reduce consultant services. Evaluate fixed operational costs and reconsider hours of operation.
Anna May Miller. I would support freezing wages where contracts do not prohibit us from doing so, continuing to reduce unnecessary expenditures, and continuing the current freeze on hiring for vacant positions.
Q. McHenry County has made groundwater preservation a priority, hiring a water resources manager and helping create a protection program. Describe where you think these efforts should go from here. Should the county monitor use of water by new development?
Barnes. New cost-effective programs and greater education efforts are necessary. A focus on coordination within county departments and other governmental entities is a priority. Various businesses and associations also need to be included as key decision-makers. Information flow is important and needs to be emphasized as an area for improvement. Monitoring water use by new development is a consideration provided there are appropriate consequences in place to address concerns.
Miller. The task force has released its suggested groundwater policies. It is now the responsibility of the county to refine these documents, adopt them and make them available to the municipalities as resources. We have sited groundwater monitoring wells throughout the county and will continue to collect and evaluate the information from them. With a strong collaboration between the county and the municipalities, we will educate our population on the effects that our everyday behaviors have on the groundwater in our county. We should monitor the water use by new development to be aware of its overall impact.
Q. Foreclosures continue to rise, leaving some residents without a home and others contending with depressed property values. What can the county do to help residents facing foreclosure and keep entire neighborhoods from suffering as a result?
Barnes. Partnerships with local not-for-profits, businesses, churches, service groups, and others can assist with this problem. Leveraging grant programs is a start toward this effort. Realtors and banks can also be involved in the process. The Self Help Legal Center provides free legal information to individuals facing this difficulty. Additional funds will be available for this program in the coming year.
Miller. The county has applied for and received monies from the federal government, which will continue to be handled through Community Development Block Grant and other agencies in the county to provide housing assistance, through the various programs. In addition, I believe the county's support of a housing commission is a strong step in identifying and addressing opportunities for the county to provide assistance to the victims of this housing crisis.
Q. More than two years ago, the county hired a firm to run its Valley Hi nursing home after the facility ran about $2 million in the red. What's your assessment of this? Should the public/private arrangement, once considered a short-term fix, continue?
Barnes. I supported the initial contract and appreciated the information which was presented. I voted against extending the contract for the public/private arrangement. I believe current county staff and elected officials are capable of managing the finances and services for Valley Hi. There is a proposal to begin a program through which a committee of volunteers will monitor progress and recommend alternatives and solutions. I support this approach and do not believe it is wise to continue to spend money on services that are not absolutely necessary.
Miller. We have been presented with the option of an "operating board" for Valley Hi. I believe this very well could be the solution to the management challenge of Valley Hi. A nursing home is a part of a very specialized and highly regulated industry that demands a high level of expertise. An operating board, while consisting of at least two county board members for continued county representation and commitment also includes members of our community that represent these areas of expertise. I am confident that a strong director, who would be a county employee and this operating board offers us the best opportunity to reassume managerial control of Valley Hi.
Q. What is your view of McHenry County's response to the H1N1 threat?
Barnes. McHenry County has kept people informed with the status of vaccine availability and education efforts toward reducing the spread of H1N1. There needs to be a continued emphasis on improving distribution methods and procedures.
Miller. Several years ago, McHenry County received funding for planning a pandemic response. The McHenry County Health Department has been planning and training for just such an event. They have been doing an excellent job of educating the public about the H1N1 threat from symptoms, procedures to avoid contracting the virus and where vaccination clinics are being held. I believe we have done an excellent job with the available resources. As I have read in the paper and been updated as a board member, we have received only a fraction of the vaccine promised. We will continue to pursue McHenry County's share of the vaccine for our residents.