Little more than an election gimmick

I recently read the endorsement of Mark Davoust for county clerk in your newspaper wherein it is stated that he has been on the county board for 10 years. I also recently received a mailer from him stating that if elected, he would propose to consolidate the recorder's office with the clerk's office to save the taxpayers money. If he were serious in that endeavor, he would have already done this as it is the county board who decides to bring up the issue.

I would like to address my observations on this matter since a 10-year veteran of the county board apparently doesn't understand budgetary matters.

The recorder's office generates revenue for the county include the GIS, and the state. The Kane County recorder's office is not part of the county tax levy. While the recorder's office is probably the most efficient office in the county, coming in under budget each year, the recorder's office is self-sufficient, relying only on user fees that are generated when documents are recorded. Everyone pays taxes but user fees are paid only by those who use the services (record documents). Additionally, as we have been, county department heads and/or managers are more highly compensated that elected officials, in some cases by as much as $50,000, and who are appointed and not elected by the public.

In summary, sandy Wegman, recorder, is fiscally responsible and does a great job managing the office. This appears to be more of an election gimmick than a good-faith effort.

Don Fraas

West Dundee