McHenry Co. Board Dist. 2 candidates discuss the issues
Incumbent Republican Kenneth Koehler of Crystal Lake is going up against Republican Donna Kurtz of Crystal Lake and Democrat Mark Booras of Crystal Lake for the District 2 seat for McHenry County Board.
Q. What is your Number 1 campaign issue?
Koehler. In my opinion, the most important issue in the county right now is the economic vitality of McHenry County in these difficult economic times. The county must balance declining revenues while maintaining a strong commitment to infrastructure, economic development and the protection of its environmental resources. It is imperative that we direct efforts to the retention of existing business while looking for opportunities to attract new business.
We need to put people back to work and compete with the state of Wisconsin and other surrounding counties to make McHenry County the most desirable place to live, work and raise a family.
Kurtz. McHenry County Government must improve its approach in promoting a strong local economy.
Over the last 12 months McHenry County officially experienced the worst job market in more than a quarter century, as well as declining tax revenues due to the housing and economic crisis. This problem underscores the need for attracting and retaining a diverse portfolio of businesses who offer careers with high-paying jobs and excellent work environments.
McHenry County needs focused economic development to generate a strong foundation to improve our tax base and generate jobs. In order to do this, at this time the county must keep taxes low by avoiding capital development that does not directly contribute to economic development.
Secondly, county government must consistently support responsible economic initiatives and activities of municipalities because of the key services municipalities provide to our businesses and residents.
Finally, county government should take a leadership role in promoting and retaining local entrepreneurs who can be a key to long term economic growth and prosperity. This could happen, for example, by promoting the establishment of fledgling industries in the areas of high-tech, green tech and clean tech.
By partnering with businesses and organizations such as McHenry County College, county government can be far more effective in building a diverse and robust local economy that is actively creating and harnessing homegrown talent.
Booras. Environmental stewardship especially as it relates to the county’s groundwater.
Q. What is your Number 2 campaign issue?
Koehler. McHenry County has an ongoing need to improve the safety and capacity of its roads. I have been working very hard on this issue since 1991, and it continues to be a priority for me today. As a member and leader of the County Board, I have successfully secured more than $300 million in state and federal dollars for road improvements.
One recent key project was the widening of Algonquin Road from Route 31 to Route 47. Upcoming transportation improvements that will help ease traffic congestion and improve safety on our roads include the construction of the Algonquin Bypass and the widening of Rakow Road. I am also working with Congressman Don Manzullo’s office to secure approximately $85 million in federal funds for much-needed intersection and capacity improvements along Randall Road.
Obtaining funding for these critical projects and others is the result of a solid working relationship that exists with key decision makers in Springfield and Washington, D.C. If re-elected, I intend to continue fostering those relationships so that McHenry County remains a priority when funding for road projects becomes available.
Kurtz. The 2030 Plan recently approved by the McHenry County Board contains inconsistencies that seriously threaten groundwater supply in our county.
The 2030 Plan recently approved by the County Board contains inconsistencies that could allow approximately 10 percent of all new development to occur in unincorporated areas. This means that out of a total of 368,187 acres countywide, the 2030 Plan permits more than 30,000 acres for “spot development.” This literally allows development in the middle of cornfields.
Developments that are not contiguous to existing cities and towns destroy our open spaces and farmland and rely on septic systems because there are no sewer or city services. Over time septic fields may contaminate groundwater because waste water remains untreated.
In addition, land development will place enormous numbers of rooftops and asphalt in areas that currently provide critical recharge to underlying aquifers. Limiting the rainfall and surface water runoff hurts infiltration and effective recharge of the underlying aquifers’ groundwater levels. As a result, the sustainability of critical water supplies in McHenry County is jeopardized.
As a County Board member I will address these harmful gaps by supporting zoning ordinances that will conservatively interpret 2030 Plan provisions in order to protect the quality and quantity of our precious drinking water.
Booras. More diversity of opinion on the County Board.
Q. What is your Number 3 campaign issue?
Koehler. The protection and preservation of McHenry County’s groundwater supply is an extremely important issue. Based on studies that were initiated by the County Board, we know that some areas of the county will have critical groundwater supply issues by 2030.
Through my efforts we have secured more than $500,000 in federal funds to scientifically understand our precious resource of groundwater. Test wells are now in place that monitor the supply of water in all areas of the county, and a geological mapping of the subsurfaces of the county is under way and is scheduled to be completed in 2011. This baseline data will help the Board make intelligent decisions so that a sustainable supply of good water is available for future generations.
Under my leadership, a groundwater task force was also created to identify ways to conserve and protect groundwater in McHenry County.
Kurtz. The McHenry County Board should not support the use of tax dollars for questionable projects such as the proposed $40 million Lakewood Sportsplex and $15 million K-Nine Baseball Stadium.
I am one the millions of Americans who have become increasingly suspicious of how their tax dollars, whether federal, state or local, are being used. In this case the County Board authorized federal government subsidized Economic Stimulus bonds to provide critical incentives for these projects to go forward. Economic stimulus that promotes industry and service businesses have the potential to significantly help our local economy, but in the case of stadiums and sports complexes, according to the Brookings Institute book “Sports, Jobs, and Taxes,” “A new sports facility has an extremely small (perhaps even negative) effect on overall economic activity and employment. The economic benefits of sports facilities are de minimus.”
In addition, the claims by these developers that hundreds of jobs and millions of annual revenue will be generated should have been severely challenged by the County Board. Board members only have to look toward the Libertyville sports complex, Schaumburg Flyer stadium and Hoffman Estates Sears Centre where these taxpayer-subsidized facilities are unprofitable and require local government tax revenues to shore up massive revenue deficiencies.
Booras. Transparency in government.
Q. As revenues, both from local sources and the state, are likely to keep falling in the year ahead, how should the county adjust its spending priorities related to the office you are seeking? Please be as specific as possible.
Koehler. We have been extremely diligent, especially over the last two years, in watching county expenditures very closely. Through cooperation and collaboration with department heads and all employees, we have made cuts where cuts were warranted.
Recently, more than $1 million was saved when the county transitioned to a self-funded insurance program. In addition, unless a position is needed for health or safety reasons, we are not filling open positions when employees retire or leave. Some purchases have been delayed and programs modified. As contracts are renegotiated, steps are taken to be fair to union and nonunion employees while also protecting the county’s limited dollars.
We are always looking for departmental efficiencies through the use of modern technology. These cost-controlling efforts have been effective, because McHenry County is one of few Illinois counties that balances its budget every year and maintains fund balances for emergencies. The solid financial footing McHenry County enjoys is rare in Illinois, and McHenry County serves as a model of good governance that other counties strive to emulate.
Just recently McHenry County’s wise financial practices was recognized with the granting of the highest bond rating of AAA. McHenry County is the smallest county in the United States that has this bond rating and is one of only three counties in the state of Illinois that has earned this prestigious bond rating.
Kurtz. During these difficult economic times, as well for the future, McHenry County must keep taxes low by avoiding capital development that does not directly contribute to economic development. Transportation investment makes economic sense and so I will be inclined to support building and repair of our roads and bridges. However, I am not in favor of supporting new building to house government expansion. These projects cost millions and have an exponential cost impact on taxpayers for years to come. I believe government can be more fiscally responsible through smaller, not larger government.
Booras. I support reducing the number of County Board seats from 24 to 18. I support implementing a private-sector style incentive program to financially reward all county employees who find ways to save money in their departments or anywhere in county government.
Q. The McHenry County Board this summer froze salaries for its members, as well as those of the sheriff, treasurer and county clerk. Do you support the pay freeze? Why or why not?
Koehler. Yes, I support the pay freezes. I also support looking at pay freezes for the higher paid department heads throughout the county.
Kurtz. During my primary campaign for County Board in the fall of 2009 I advocated salary freezes for County Board members and employees. I am glad to see these pay freezes take effect. I believe elected officials must model the way for government to be economically responsible, as well as to find ways to reduce the cost of government wherever possible.
Booras. I support pay freezes and hiring freezes in areas that do not impact public safety. My understanding is the current County Board recently approved a pay raise for themselves.
Q. According to the U.S. Census, McHenry County’s Hispanic population grew from about 19,600 in 2000 to about 36,000 in 2008. What challenges does that present for the office you seek, and how would you address them?
Koehler. At the county level the increase in the Hispanic population has not been a significant issue. However, bilingual interpreters are available in the court system. There are enough bilingual employees in the county that if help is needed an interpreter could be provided. But again, this has not been an issue thus far.
Kurtz. Population growth in general brings about increased costs for governmental services, education and housing-related costs. In addition, an increase in the supply of labor can drive down wage rates, particularly in the case of unskilled labor, and place a strain on increasingly limited environmental resources, such as groundwater. It is the responsibility of public officials such as County Board members to ensure that the welfare of their constituents is their first priority and that new residents do not dilute the quality of life of the current residents. Proper planning and the development of a sound economic environment can help to alleviate the impact of growth.
Booras. The challenge for county government is to ensure the proper outreach opportunities are available for all populations that legally reside in our county.
Q. Kane County, which like McHenry initially banned video gaming machines from bars and other approved establishments, now will allow the machines. Should McHenry County follow suit, or should it remain opposed? How is your position best for county voters?
Koehler. I voted in favor of video gaming. It is difficult to find revenue sources to fund the county’s $1 billion road and infrastructure needs. I do not support a local tax increase to fund these projects. Therefore, the county must be open to funding streams provided by the state. However, I felt at the time and still feel today that it was premature for the County Board to position itself for or against this revenue source before the state adopts rules and regulations that govern it. McHenry County loses significant funding if these revenues do not materialize. These potential losses include a:
타 30 percent reduction of the county’s $315 million state road funds
타 30 percent reduction of capital funding for McHenry County College
타 30 percent reduction in capital funding for McHenry County’s grade schools and high schools
타 30 percent reduction in state funded municipal public works projects
It would also be unfortunate to jeopardize the construction jobs that would be created by these capital improvements.
Kurtz. The rationale for video gambling is to generate millions in revenue to pay for road and infrastructure projects to create much needed jobs in McHenry County. However, my experience with capital projects that “pay for themselves and generate revenue as advertised” leads me to a different conclusion.
Based on current trends and because the cost of ongoing regulation and support for video gambling is unknown, the State has not proven that gaming is a reliable way to support public services. Recent trends indicate that revenue from existing casinos and gambling equipment declined in Illinois compared with last year.
Secondly, current legislation does not define regulatory processes and infrastructure for video gambling. Simply put, until the state understands costs associated with building and managing video gambling in Illinois, this appears to be a very risky funding approach in which the only parties that are sure to benefit will be the companies selling Illinois the millions of dollars worth of video gambling equipment and services. Since there is little assurance that real funds will be available for the jobs that are so desperately needed in McHenry County I think video gambling is an irresponsible funding approach.
Booras. We do not need to invest in gambling to pay our bills.
Q. McHenry received a two-year delay on a deadline to create a drug court, leaving it as the only collar county without one. Do you agree with the postponement? Should the county set up a court sooner? If so, what are the obstacles? How would you fund it?
Koehler. McHenry County is committed to getting a drug court up and running. However, the reason for the delay is that the county was getting its mental health court up and going and needed to conduct further research for its drug court. This type of initiative takes a lot of assets, both personnel and financial, and it would be irresponsible to rush the process just to have a court in place in time to meet a state-mandated deadline. I believe that when the court is put in place it will provide the necessary help for the high-risk, high-need alcohol and drug dependent individuals.
We are in the process of seeking a Bureau of Justice grant to help offset the costs of the court, and we intend on being up and running by June 2011. As an attempt to deter future generations from drug and alcohol abuse, I am in the process of establishing an underage drinking task force to help educate both students and parents about the extreme hazards of alcohol, which often leads to other substance abuse. That task force began its work on Sept. 20, 2010.
Kurtz. The idea behind drug court is to direct defendants into treatment rather than face the prospect of prison, and thus ultimately save taxpayer money. However, because drug court is an unfunded legislative mandate, it is understandable that the implementation of this initiative has been delayed in these economic times. In the future, drug court maybe a viable approach to address the drug problems that exist in McHenry County. However, without available funding other priorities for the county have taken precedence. Booras. It#146;s not enough to simply have a drug court. We must demand that the drug court follows best practices and be routinely evaluated for outcomes.
Name of Candidate: Donna M. Kurtz
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Running for: McHenry County Board District 2
Party affiliation: Republican
Candidate Incumbent? No
Occupation: Financial adviser