The McHenry County Board of Health held a hearing on the proposed cat tax the middle of the month and only one person showed,

He was Republican candidate for County Board Chairman Mike Beuhler.

The report given the Board of Health last night merely said that five people opposed the new licensing fee and none had reached out in favor.

After the meeting, he wrote,

I guess I am the only one in the county that cares about the CAT tax. I was the only one there.

I asked why they were considering the registration and fees at this time and they claimed it was due to the passing of Senate Bill 131 in Springfield and that the fees were to recover the costs they would incur from recordkeeping and recording related to the bill.

I also asked what the costs would be to perform those functions and whether they would need to add staff.

They said they didn’t anticipate needing to have to hire any new staff at this time but had a Part-Time employee that would have increased hours that would increase their cost salary and benefitswise. 

They volunteered that they are considering adding a senior discount in line with the dog fees.

Also asked how it would be enforced

Basically they would crosscheck against vaccination records on hand and see if the cat was registered as well as if they had a public interaction with an animal that wasn’t registered then corrective action would be applied.

Similar to how they enforce dogs currently. 

Fees/fines would go to the general fund, not the department. 

They were very friendly and forthcoming. 

Members of the Public Health Committee are

• Chris Christensen, Chairman 815-334-722
• Paula Yensen, Vice Chair 815-404-3918
• Michael Vijuk 847-909-0596
• Suzanne Ness 217-721-4272
• Lori Parrish 815-790-4020
• Kay Bates 815-385-4300, 815-276-5073
• Chuck Wheeler 815-307-8525
• Mary McCann 815-568-1061