Dale Multerer: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Round LakeWebsite: http://www.4allroundlake.comOffice sought: Round Lake Village boardAge: 50Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Stay home DadEducation: Associate Degree in Business Administration, Northwest Business College, 1986Civic involvement: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Girl Scout of America, International Council of Shopping Centers, Friends of the Round Lake Parks Area FoundationElected offices held: Trustee of the Village of Round LakeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuation of Fiscal Responsibility #8211; The Village of Round Lake has maintained a surplus budget by watching it#146;s expenses allowing the accumulation a $4.3 Million dollar reserve in a General Fund. In planning for the future, we placed this money aside to help in these tough economic times. Reviewing all expenses of the Village, we were able to reduce a budgeted $800K General fund deficit by $500K. The main driver for posting any deficit was due to the State of Illinois' inability to pay 6 months of income tax revenues owed to the Village.The HR Finance Committee, which I am a member, has reduced the overall General fund budget by $1 million dollars this past year alone. This was accomplished by looking at every line item individually and using a zero line budgeting process. In the 2010-2011 fiscal year, we had a budgeted General Fund deficit of $350K. We are how forecasting the nonexistence of a deficit with the possibility of a small surplus. We will continue to review each expense to the Village budget and continue to focus on the finical health of the Village without risking the public safety of the residents in our Village.Key Issue 2 Move the Village Forward Our focus for the next 4 years to move the Village forward is:1) Implementation and focus on a downtown Round Lake plan. Over the past 8 years the Village invested time and resources in the development of a comprehensive transit orientated downtown shopping area. As external investments return to the economy, the Village needs to be ready to move from the planning stage to actual implementation of the plan. This will help increase the EAV for ALL the taxing bodies.2) Focus on economic growth. While over the past few years the Village has benefited by not depending on sales tax revenues, it is essential that the Village continue to look at expanding this revenue opportunity. This can help reduce the residents#146; property tax burden. Over the pass 10 years the Village as taken a role in ""selling our Village"" to economic developers; as the new Census data comes out we need to look at all opportunities to attract developers and businesses to the Village. It should be a policy of the Village to make the Village a community of work (jobs), rest (home) and play (entertainment). Key Issue 3 Creating a Sense of Community #8211; The image of the Village is very important. We want to see the residents of our various subdivisions express equal pride of being a resident of the Village of Round Lake. In the last decade, the Village has grown from a community of 5,000 to 17,000 residents and over 5,000 homes. People have moved to the community from all over the Chicago land. We need to improve the image of the Village and define the significantly larger Round Lake without sacrificing its rich history. We need to: 1) Have people more involved in the community by joining one of the many Village committees, forming community volunteer groups, offering more and mixed community events Like Tree city USA and Community Gardens.2) Home Owner Associations in the Village that have done great jobs in forming strong ""neighborhoods"". The Village needs to reach out with those organizations in strengthening Village pride.Questions Answers What makes you the best candidate for the job?Served the Village as Chairman of the Police and Fire Commission for two years. Have been a Trustee for the Village for almost 8 years. I have continued working to bring retail to the Village of Round Lake for almost 10 years. I am serving as a Leader in the BPO Elks. Serving the Friends of the Round Lake Area Park Foundation as it's Treasurer.Given the delicate balance between the need for revenue and over-taxing local businesses, what is your opinion of your community's present level of local sales taxes? Is the tax just right, too low or too high? Explain.The rate is just right. Our current sales taxes rate is at the state minimum at 6.25%, 1% collected is then returned to the Village. We do not have ""home rule"" therefore we do not have the opportunity of increase sale tax rate. We need to find ways to increase sale tax revenue in order to reduce the property tax burden on the residents. Building our sales tax revenues is the biggest area of focus. We need to enhance current strategy to entice business within Village boundaries. Ideas include utilizing the Round Lake Chamber of Commerce to market economic development opportunities in the area, continued involvement in the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers), and establish a set of economic incentives to attract businesses.We need to continue pushing major road improvement extensions that would help make Round Lake a viable economic center. It is important we continue to drive the building of the 120 by-pass and the extension of route 53 North of Lake Cook Road. These road improvements are not only important for the Village of Round Lake but for all of Western Lake County.Talking with your friends and neighbors, what seems to be their biggest public safety concern? Explain the concern as you see it, and discuss how you think it should be addressed.The biggest concern is managing a tough economic situation without putting public safety (police, public works, etc) at risk. Over the past two years the Village has reduced its corporate General Fund budget by $1 million dollars. This reduction has been accomplished by not back-filling roles that have been made vacant through natural attrition, freezing of COLA (Cost Of Living Increase) increase and holding all merit increases within 2011. The Village is currently down 12 positions across optimal staffing numbers. I feel that we as a Village cannot afford to reduce additional staff either through attrition or layoff without risk to public service; this includes police on the street, snow plowing, maintaining infrastructure of roads, sewer, and water as we still face deficit situations on an already lean budget. I feel the Village has done a great job over the past 10 years in building a General Fund reserve in excess of $4 million dollars for situations like this. We need to continue to maintain our current staffing levels to keep from a reduction in service and public safety for residents and utilize the reserve until the economic picture improves.In these tight economic times, municipal budgets have to be prioritized. Where, if anywhere, could the current budget be trimmed, and conversely, are there areas the budget does not give enough money to?We must use a zero line by line budget. Why is this in the budget? After having a budget we must review each expense. Do not tell me #147;it is in the budget, therefore we can spend it#148;. Is this expense needed now? Are we getting the best value by making the expense now? We must be conscious not to cut or postpone major capital expenses. While these expenses are easy to cut or push years out to address short falls in current budgets, it is my opinion that this is short sided and in the long run if we do not move these programs forward the Village will pay more in the long run.In conclusion, I believe there are no major ""frivolous"" line items or expenses to represent a significant savings or percentage of the total budget. If income falls and cuts are necessary, reduction in staff would have to be the only area left to eliminate or reduce. If we look at layoffs, we then look at significant reduction in resident services and place a major risk to public safety. What#146;s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?We need to increase our focus on bringing information and convenience to residents. In today#146;s electronic age we need to reach out to our residents by offering a virtual Town Hall forum. Twice a year we would hold this virtual forum where the board members can allow QA sessions for residents to ask questions and have direct interaction with the board members from the convenience of their home. In this way we can build a better understanding of our government and make it easier for our residents to be more engaged with their Village.