Mike Buehler: 2024 candidate for McHenry County Board Chairperson

Bio

Party: Republican

Office Sought: McHenry County Board Chairperson

City: Crystal Lake

Age: 55

Occupation: Business Owner

Previous offices held: Chairman-McHenry County board

Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?

I am running for re-election as McHenry County Board Chairman in order to continue to provide the highest level of service that our residents expect. Under my leadership, our top priorities have been focused on fiscal responsibility while strongly supporting public safety, economic and workforce development, maintaining our roads, and infrastructure improvements. In addition, through our shared services initiative with our cities and villages, we’ve created shared purchasing programs for road salt and storage facilities, public safety and training, and addressing mental health issues in our communities. Also, I have traveled to Springfield with our municipal leaders to be a strong advocate for the needs of their communities(which is unprecedented). During my term, the shared service programs we’ve created will save our taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in the decades to come. There is more work to be done in these and other areas.

If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of any important initiatives you've led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be?

I was elected in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic and its significant challenges. We lost over 600 small businesses, there was a major increase in mental health issues, and workforce shortages were hurting economic growth. Through the covid relief funds we received, we invested over $30mil to address these issues. We also made public safety a high priority: Approved and built the Sheriff’s Regional Training Center-shared services. Worked with Sheriff’s dept to create the Police Social Worker Program to serve all cities in the county- shared services. Introduced and passed the Mental Health referendum that will increase funding for mental health REDUCING COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LEVY BY over 14%. Funded millions to our high schools and MCC for a return to vocational training. Funded student Rotational Internship Programs with manufacturers in McHenry County. Finally, I have successfully worked with our mayors to find efficiencies in areas of overlapping responsibilities.

Describe your position regarding the balance between county spending and revenues as it exists today, then describe the chief threats you see looming in the future and how the county should deal with them.

McHenry County has a long history of fiscal responsibility. Under my leadership, we have continued down this path and have had a balanced budget every year since I was elected. We have received the GFOA Triple Crown Award for excellence in financial reporting all 3 years of my term. In addition, we were recognized by the US Treasury as 1 of 17(out of 3000+) counties in the US for innovative and transformative use of covid relief funds.

The biggest threat to the county is loss of local control through legislation in Springfield. I reinstated our State and Federal Legislative program that my predecessor ended. This allows us to create a Legislative Agenda to lobby for our counties needs as well as oppose Springfield Legislation that is counter to our best interests

Does there need to be more bipartisanship and cooperation on the county board? If yes, what would you do to help make that happen?

The vast majority of issues that come before the County Board are non-partisan and are related to zoning, funding day to day operations, and general policy decisions. I have gone to great lengths to encourage bipartisan cooperation. Unlike Springfield, we, as a Republican majority board, have Democrat leadership as Chair and Vice Chair in some of our committees. I have appointed our members from across the aisle to important boards such as the Mental Health Board, the Conservation District, the ZBA, etc. without considering party affiliation. In addition, I created the Workforce Housing Workgroup with a bipartisan Co-Chair structure. I will continue to encourage bipartisan cooperation because I believe it's important that every voice be heard regardless of party affiliation. Finally, I believe our residents want a government that works together to attend to the business that comes before us.

What role should the county play in combating the opioid crisis?

The opioid crisis has had devastating impacts across the nation. During my tenure as Chairman, this Board has been a leader in addressing the crisis head-on. We have fully funded and supported our Sheriffs Department in enforcing the law, our States Attorneys office in prosecuting those who break the law, our Courts who ensure the law is applied equally and see that justice is served, and our Mental Health Board whose responsibility it is to help those with substance abuse issues. We are a leader, through our States Attorney and Courts, in programs that help those who want help to get the treatment they need. If successful, these individuals can avoid incarceration and get a second chance at a successful drug & alcohol free life. Also, we have increased funding for Mental Health and substance abuse. Our States Attorney has been successful in obtaining judgements against opioid manufacturers and these funds will be used for substance abuse prevention and treatment for many decades.

What role should the county play in increasing affordable housing in the region?

In recent years, housing in McHenry County has become increasingly expensive to obtain for some of our residents. Many people aren't aware of the limitations of county government when it comes to affordable housing. County governments jurisdiction is only over unincorporated areas of the county. Generally, the unincorporated areas of our county do not have the required infrastructure(i.e. sewer and water) required to support traditional affordable housing. However, we well aware of the issue and its importance. That's why I(in collaboration with our PHCS committee) created the bipartisan Workforce Housing Workgroup to study the issue. Over the past year, the workgroup brought together business leaders, real estate experts, members of the McHenry County Workforce Network, transportation planners, community development practitioners, and county staff to evaluate workforce housing needs. This past June we published a report with our findings. This will be presented to MCCOG this fall.