Kane County leaders clear the air

A one-day feud between Kane County Board Chairman Karen McConnaughay and Treasurer Dave Rickert ended Thursday when the two reached "a clear and unified understanding of the new county finance system."

That understanding, so described in a news release from McConnaughay, came a day after Rickert accused McConnaughay of denying him access to the system in violation of state law. Rickert, who initially threatened to ask the state's attorney to investigate the matter, brushed off the disagreement as a "miscommunication" Thursday.

"There were probably some unfortunate statements made on both sides," Rickert said. "We are trying to work together. I feel assured, based on this meeting, that we (the treasurer's office) have and will have that access going forward."

The two met with Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti, Auditor Bill Keck, a representative of financial software vendor New World Systems and four other county officials to discuss the collection and dissemination of financial information by the county. Rickert then learned his office has complete access to the new system, McConnaughay said.

"I think we were able to clear up any confusion (Rickert) might have," McConnaughay said of the 90-minute meeting, which was scheduled before Rickert's accusations were made public.

Rickert had charged that McConnaughay limited his access to the financial system "to limit information that may prove embarrassing to her administration" -- namely that construction of the new county jail in St. Charles Township is $4.1 million over budget.

But that $4.1 million is allocated toward construction of the new sheriff's office located at the jail. That is a separate project from the jail construction, which is not over budget, McConnaughay said. Rickert on Thursday chalked up the disagreement as a "miscommunication."

"It's unfortunate that in an election season that some miscommunication takes place," Rickert said. "I will say that the chairman sat down with me today, we discussed these issues and I'm satisfied with her answers on these issues."

McConnaughay called Rickert's criticisms politically motivated. Rickert circulated a petition for McConnaughay's opponent, Jim MacRunnels.

But both Rickert and MacRunnels said Rickert isn't working for MacRunnels' campaign. Rickert said he circulated MacRunnels' petition because supporting Republican candidates is part of his GOP precinct committeeman duties. Rickert also signed McConnaughay's petition.