Timothy J. Hoeft: 2025 candidate for Huntley village president

Bio

Office Sought: Huntley village president

City: Huntley

Age: 45

Occupation: Engineer/excavation contractor

Previous offices held: Huntley Village President 2021-Current; village trustee 2015-21; and planning and zoning commission 2011-15

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I am running for reelection for village president of Huntley.

My passion for the village of Huntley is why I chose to run for public office 10 years ago. My professional experience in business and engineering, coupled with serving as your current village president for four years and my lifetime commitment to community service, have prepared me to continue my leadership endeavor for the village of Huntley.

I have led many successful contract negotiations and project developments throughout my professional and political career. I believe that all involved parties need to work together through negotiation and open communication for the success of a common goal.

Huntley needs a leader who is transparent, trustworthy and one who will lead by example. I am a man of my word and will keep the residents of Huntley at the forefront of every decision that is presented to the village board. We have so much to be proud of in our past, but must always be planning for the future generations to come.

What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it?

We need to continue maintaining our balanced growth with added community benefits, as well as expanding and maintaining our current infrastructure.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Since I took office as village president in 2021, there has been a balanced budget every year and we voted to maintain the village’s portion of your property tax levy. We need leadership in place that knows how to balance the high level of services we expect while maintaining the lowest cost possible.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

The village of Huntley has an annual infrastructure program that we use for the maintenance and reconstruction of our existing infrastructure. The funds needed for these projects have been part of a multiyear plan which include motor fuel tax dollars.

Huntley grew at a very fast pace during the early 2000s. As a result of that early 2000s growth, much of our infrastructure is aging at the same rate. I will not put infrastructure maintenance or replacement on the “back burner” because neglecting it will only cost us more down the road.

One of the projects that is a priority is the Kreutzer Road realignment and widening, which is one of the top concerns we receive. The VOH is in the final negotiation stages and hopefully construction should commence fall 2025 or spring 2026.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.

I believe in a proactive leadership style that is focused around team collaboration, which includes ongoing communications with other community partners, legislators, and the development community.

Additionally, I think it is important to state there is a difference in community involvement versus community leadership. I have led many successful contract negotiations and project developments throughout my professional and political career. I believe that all involved parties need to work together through negotiation and open communication for the success of a common goal.

Huntley needs a leader who is transparent, trustworthy and one who will lead by example. I am a man of my word and will keep the residents of Huntley at the forefront of every decision that is presented to the village board. We have so much to be proud of in our past but must always be planning for the future generations to come.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

When I answered this question four years ago, I wanted to embrace technology enhancements to create greater transparency and ambience within Huntley. This was accomplished with the village streaming our meetings, and the Village Square has speakers that play music on an ongoing basis. The village has an app for its residents, and an online chat. Technology is ever-changing and I plan to continue to advocate for technological enhancements. The only constant is change and our village must continue to evolve as a premier destination to live, work, and play in northern Illinois.