Kane County District 14 candidates debate revenue sources, health benefits

Potential tax increases, new revenue sources and benefits for elected officials are top of mind for the two candidates seeking the Republican nomination for the Kane County Board District 14 seat.

Incumbent Mark Davoust, who has held the position since 2004, will face accountant and political newcomer Steven Oscarson in the March 17 primary. The winner will run against Democrat William Bachman in November for a four-year term. All live in St. Charles.

Davoust, 61, a small-business owner, says he plans to use his prior experience on the board to help tackle the greatest issues facing the county, including budgetary restraints, sustainable water supply and the construction of a new coroner's facility.

"County government serves us in many of the things that you see and use every day," he said. "I like the work ... and I would very much like to continue to do it."

His challenger wants to offer a fresh perspective using his background as a controller for a large law firm. Oscarson, 33, recognizes the county's struggle in recent years to balance a flat tax levy with rising union wages and development throughout the county.

"It's a unique time to say, 'I have some experience in this area. Let's see what I can do with it,'" he said. "I can't sit on the sidelines and do nothing."

For nearly eight years, the Kane County Board has maintained a frozen property tax levy - the "crown jewel" of two-term Chairman Chris Lauzen's initial campaign, Davoust said. But the effort to reduce the tax burden on residents has actually caused a bit of a disservice, he said, because the amount of property tax dollars collected each year does not reflect the county's rapid growth.

"You can only sustain that for so long," Davoust said. "You hold the line as well as you can and strive continually for efficiencies. But to make a promise to the people that it'll remain frozen I don't think is a fair representation of what we're going to be confronted with."

Oscarson takes a similar stance, saying he doesn't think committing to a tax freeze is practical. To keep the levy as low as possible, he said, the county needs to evaluate its expenses and ensure departments are running efficiently.

"It's making sure what we're spending is what we absolutely need and that we don't have excess in any places," he said.

One easy step, Oscarson said, would be to eliminate the health and dental insurance benefits offered to the part-time board members, who also receive an annual salary of $25,000. If the board asks departments to make cuts and residents to pay more, he said, elected officials also should take a hit.

Davoust said receiving health insurance is a much appreciated perk for what he calls "the busiest part-time job I've ever had." For the level of responsibility that goes into the county board position, he said, he believes such benefits serve as an incentive for members, and at a cost that doesn't significantly impact the budget.

Both candidates pointed to a 2.5% tax on recreational marijuana sales as one potential revenue source that could pad the county's budget. But Oscarson believes the board should have "maxed out" with a 3% tax, saying setting the rate half a percentage point lower is not enough to make Kane County more attractive to businesses.

"I think there was money left on the table there," he said.

Davoust said the county can always revisit the cannabis tax rate, and 2.5% "was a good place to start." He also pointed to other areas where the county could generate some revenue, such as charging for the use of a fiber-optic network and raising fees for new construction.