Andrew Yuscka: 2023 candidate for West Dundee Village Board

Bio

Town: West Dundee

Age on Election Day: 72

Occupation: Retired

Employer: N/A

Previous offices held: Six-term West Dundee Village Trustee

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: We need to be able to continue to provide first rate municipal services to the community which includes free refuse collection and curbside fall leaf collection as examples.

While at the same time attempting to maintain competitive municipal charges for these services and a stable property tax in comparison to our neighboring communities.

We will be able to achieve these based on continued strong economic development that is focused toward strengthening the local economy and needs to remain priority number one.

As a village, we have seen over $500 million in private investment over the past 10 years throughout all areas of the community to accomplish this. The focus should remain on Spring Hill Mall, Route 31 and our downtown, in order to strengthen our local economy.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: The village's finances are extremely strong and have remained stable despite recent challenges. The village has done a good job of balancing increased expenses in recent years, while continuing to provide quality services despite population increases.

An outside auditor reviews the village's financial documents on an annual basis. The village has received the Certificate in Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Office Association for nearly 30 consecutive years.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: 1. Continued emphasis on our street and infrastructure program. As a board, we have created a dedicated and stable revenue source for funding these capital needs. Maintaining streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters in front of residential homes must be prioritized in order to maintain home values.

2. Continued emphasis on water and sewer improvements in order to ensure safe and reliable water and sewer services to the community. This would include the repainting of the village's water towers and meter and lead service line replacement, particularly in Old Town.

3. We need to begin the process of initiating and planning for the redevelopment of Spring Hill Mall which is located in the center of our community. Future development and the uses in this area will have a dramatic effect on the village for many years to come. As part of the board, I want to ensure that this redevelopment is done to a very high standard ensuring quality businesses and development occur there.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: There is a yearlong continued focus of our budgeting processes. The village board reviews the budget status on a quarterly basis during each and every fiscal year.

Last year, our $12 million General Fund budget came within $7,000 of audited actual expenses versus the budget line items. We do not overspend, and the village does a very good job of ensuring that public dollars are reviewed on an annual basis and justified.

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: Maintaining the village's annual Street and Infrastructure program. It is very easy to fall behind if streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters are not maintained and upgraded on an annual basis.

This work has a direct visual and financial impact on each individual homeowner and their property values.

The homeowners take pride in their community if the streets and sidewalks in front of their homes are well maintained.

As an elected board, we have prioritized and committed to at least $1.2 million annually, which is strictly dedicated for this priority. Street and infrastructure and water and sewer improvements are "need to do" projects for the community. The village has also prioritized many aesthetic and visual impacts that benefit the community, such as our downtown improvements and Route 31 corridor. While these projects have value and benefits to the overall community in terms of visual benefits, they can be reprioritized if reduced funding decisions need to be made.

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: Having served on the village board since 1999, I have always been a participating member of the board that welcomes diverse opinions. I am very proud of the collaborative efforts that come from the combination of the village's elected officials and employees. Issues are thoroughly discussed prior to decisions and votes being taken. The decisions that have been made result in the very strong community-minded and fiscally responsible organization that we have. I believe that this is why West Dundee is viewed in such a positive light throughout the area.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I believe that my tenure on the board provides for a good institutional knowledge base that serves the community and the organization well. I consider myself forward thinking, open-minded and responsive to both the businesses and residents of West Dundee.

These attributes will serve the community well as the village contemplates significant decisions and directives in the near future, particularly as it relates to Spring Hill Mall.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

A: I continue to be a strong advocate of working with neighboring communities and sharing equipment and personnel to maximize economies of scale.

There are various pieces of specialized equipment that can be shared among smaller communities like ours, but I am also a strong proponent of working with other governmental entities, particularly in regard to public safety, inspections and development in order to better serve the larger Dundee area with the intention and direct benefit of reducing the overall costs to the public taxpayer.