Kane Co. District 23 candidates want smaller board

Kane County needs to find ways to balance its budget, and candidates for Kane County Board District 23 have a couple of ideas in mind to trim expenses and raise revenues.

Maggie Auger, a Republican from Algonquin, and Linda Nuneman, a Democrat from Sleepy Hollow, are vying for the seat that encompasses parts of Algonquin, Carpentersville, West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow.

Incumbent John Mayer, who was appointed to the seat in early 2009, did not run for election.

While Auger said the county board should encourage economic development in the area, Nuneman proposes reducing the size of the 26-member county board.

"There are a lot of people on the board and I am hoping it can be discussed to reduce the number," Nuneman said. "It would have to be studied, but I would think it could be possibly cut in half or more."

Nuneman estimated a reduction in the number of board members could net the county about $200,000, based on board member salaries of about $20,000.

Those savings could then be used in another area, Nuneman said.

Auger, however, said the county board has room to trim one or two seats.

"We have the biggest county board in the area," Auger said. "Lake, Cook and McHenry counties all have smaller boards. Twenty-six seems a little high, but I think going down to 18 would be too far. Maybe down to 24. It's not going to save us a huge amount, but it's a good start."

Auger said the county departments need to look at areas to save and the county board should find ways to entice small businesses to move into the area.

"More businesses means more jobs," Auger said. "More income means more sales tax revenue for the county and more real estate tax dollars."