Scott Kunze: 2023 candidate for East Dundee Village Board, 4-year term
Bio
Town: East Dundee
Age on Election Day: 45
Occupation: Lead detailer
Employer: Parenti & Raffaelli
Previous offices held: East Dundee Village Trustee since 2019
Q&A
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the village board respond to it?
A: The most serious issue facing East Dundee is who should make the decisions about how your tax dollars will be spent. The citizens of East Dundee, or wealthy developers and business owners who do not live in East Dundee but wish to influence our elections.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: In a word, improving. Six years ago, the village found itself in a massive pit of debt from a combination of bad TIF redevelopment deals and infrastructure investments. Some of those investments paid off well, and some did not. Over the past six years, the village has cut spending to a minimum level and cut our debt significantly.
The village also had a huge increase in tax dollars from industrial developments that will ease the tax burden on residents if future boards choose to let it. Additionally, the village has created a surplus rainy day fund to help prevent the need for taking on more debt in the future.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: 1.) There are multiple developments currently being explored in the downtown area and beyond. 2.) We are forming a long-term river front plan that will required some investments in the next four years. 3.) We need to upgrade infrastructure both in roads and water supply in the next four years.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: As stated previously, East Dundee has cut spending to the minimum over the last 6 years. We have a small staff that works hard and each member of that staff performs multiple jobs.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: We have several roads that need to be repaved. Some roads that were improperly paved in the past will require more work. These projects are funded some by money from the state. East Dundee has a tradition of abating property taxes for residents. This tradition is not a forgone conclusion, it is a decision that must be made every year. Future boards will need to make that decision as well or we will all see an increase in our property tax bills.
Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your village board.
A: Being a board member is a tightrope of standing up for what you believe in, and allowing others to have their voice heard as well.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: During my time on the board, I have made it a priority to stay connected to the residents of the village by making myself available by phone, email, or face-to-face meetings. I try and keep the public informed with what is happening at village hall through updates on my trustee Facebook page. And I weigh my decisions on the board against what will benefit the most amount of residents, and not a few developers.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: At this time, the village is exploring multiple locations for redevelopment. Exploring opportunities to redevelop our river front. These will be big projects that will take up the focus of the next board. Beyond that, an increase in infrastructure spending might be a valuable idea to pursue.