Lake County board candidate questions elimination of sustainability coordinator post
Candidates for Lake County Board District 18 have different takes on the recent elimination of the job of sustainability coordinator.
Republican incumbent Aaron Lawlor of Vernon Hills, who has served as board chairman since 2012, said he advocated for the post two years ago.
"I don't take this lightly. I led on it before and I'm going to make sure that what we do moving forward to contract for these services is just as good, if not better, than what we've had really over the last two years," he said.
Democratic challenger Gerri Songer, a teacher from Hawthorn Woods who is running for elected office for the first time, issued a statement when she learned of the move, saying it was a disappointment and a step away from sound environmental practices.
"It is clearly a 'penny wise, pound-foolish' decision," she said. She noted savings from grants, controlling waste streams and improving the quality of life through good environmental practices outweigh the cost of a salary.
The county board authorized the position in late 2013 for the 2014-15 budget year at a starting salary of $85,000 plus benefits, for a total of about $100,000. The job basically was to lead and increase green initiatives done by various staff members as extra duty, it was explained at the time.
Lawlor said there was "more to the story" but did not disclose details.
"There was a personnel matter and it was important that the county act in the best interest of our residents and the taxpayers," he said. "The county board delegates that authority to the county administrator and he protected our fiduciary duties."
Songer claimed K.C. Doyle, who held the post, "was doing a lot to save money" and there was no financial analysis of whether the position was effective.
"There was to be a two-year period and then the position was to be evaluated, but it never got to that point," she said. "The board members should have had the opportunity to give their input."
Lawlor said the county is looking at models, such as the College of Lake County or Highland Park, "that have the opportunity to bring in more expertise as we look at a specific issue, whether it's rooftop solar or electric vehicle proliferation or some other issue."
District 18 includes Vernon Hills, Indian Creek and portions of Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, Mundelein and unincorporated areas.