McHenry County Blog

Almost 500 votes separated the incumbent Republican McHenry Township Assessor Carol Peerschke from her Democratic Party challenger Mary Mahady.

McHenry Township was the only township where Democrats fielded a candidate.

Former Board of Review member had a car in the 2012 Fiesta Days Parade.

The Democrats also ran a candidate for McHenry Township Trustee. He was not so lucky.

Why is that news?

Don’t Republicans support other Republicans on the ballot?

There was no Republican primary election in McHenry Township and all of those running for office seem to be on the same page.

Unified.

At least that’s what one might conclude from the four by eight foot sign on Route 31 just north of Route 120.

No GOP primary winner is being challenged in Algonquin Township, so no one would expect much of an effort there.

In Nunda Township, only the Supervisor is being challenged and by an Independent, not a Democrat as in McHenry Township.

The Nunda Township was just finalized this week, so maybe there will be a joint sign promoting Republicans in the near future.

In Grafton Township, there is no doubt a serious effort is being made by a group of Independents to take out all of the Republican candidates but the person on the ballot for Clerk, a write-in candidate who is running unopposed.

There were three sharp primaries in Grafton Township:

• a three-way race for Supervisor, won by Pam Fender
• a two-way race for Assessor, won by Al Zielinski
• a two-way race for Road Commissioner, won by Tom Poznanski

Poznanski is the Chairman of the Grafton Township Republican Central Committee.

So the question of the day is whether the Nunda and Grafton Township Central Committee will be putting forth any organized effort on behalf of their Republican Party candidates?

Conflict of interest entered the discussion with regard to three McHenry County Board members during Tina Hill’s Committee on Committees meeting Friday morning.

First off was a comment from John Reihansperger, a spokesman for those who live on private roads outside of municipalities.

He urged that Anna May Miller not be named to chair the Transportation Committee, contending there was “a conflict of interest” because she was employed by the Algonquin Township Road District. (Her husband is Bob Miller, the Township Highway Commissioner, who is running unopposed in the Republican Primary Election.)

“Is it the taxpayers or her job and husband [she is representing].

“It’s obvious she is trying to protect her husband’s budget,” he said.

Later in the meeting, Miller responded.

It came up during the discussion of the composition of the Transportation Committee.

“I, too, feel the non-dedicated road issue a real concern here,” Donna Kurtz said.

“I live on a non-dedicate road,” Mary McClellan added. “They (the Nunda Township Road Commissioner’s men) have always plowed our roads. I don’t believe McHenry Township takes care of its non-dedicated roads as well as Nunda and Algonquin.”

Miller explained that the Transportation Department staff is rewriting some of the requirements for standards that must be met before County Motor Fuel Tax can be spent on such roads. She pointed out that there will be new Transportation Committee members “that will have missed out on a lot of work.”

“The County has no control over these township road commissioners,” she emphasized.

“The law is what the law is,” Miller pointed out, suggesting that those living on non-dedicated roads should be lobbying their legislators if they want to change it.”

Later she pointed out that a law that allows 50% of MFT money collected to go into an account to subsidize the upgrading of non-dedicated subdivision roads in anticipation of being taken into a township’s road system is set to expire in 2013.

“If there is anyway for us to offer more assistance, I favor it.”

Miller explained that she had been in contact with the State’s Attorney’s Office and had an opinion saying that she was not in a conflict of interest position.

“The County has no oversight whatsoever over township road district budgets.

“My personal employment is not contingent on the non-dedicated road aspect of the (township).”

“I believe [if] the non-dedicated road money comes back to the [subdivisions], all the road commissioners would be losing some of their budget,” Sue Draffkorn added.

Miller pointed out that 50% of township road taxes on property within municipalities goes directly to the cities and villages. [Come to think of it, this is money the municipalities get without being blamed for levying the real estate taxes, much as the cities don't get blamed for the share of the state income tax that is passed on to them.]

McClellan explained that there are restrictions in the County ordinance regarding the minimum width of the right-of-way, some of which are extremely difficult or impossible to meet in older unincorporated subdivisions.

And, Miller pointed out, if the subdivision roads “meet the standards, the township road commissioner can still say, ‘No.’

“I understand their frustrations. The people of McHenry Township have elected Mr. [Leon] Van Every and there isn’t even competition. That’s not place to be passing judgment.”

One the other hand, she pointed out the relationship between unincorporated subdivision residents in Nunda and Algonquin Townships is good.

Getting back to the discussion of who should chair the Transportation Committee, McClellan asked, “Do you feel you would be non-biased in that position?”

“Yes I do,” Miller replied and the discussion moved on to liaison positions.

Pending a change of mind by Hill, Miller will remain the head of the Transportation Committee.

At their Township Caucus, McHenry Township Democrats voted to put Mary Mayhady on the April ballot for Assessor. She used to serve as the Democratic Party member of the McHenry County Board of Review.

While there are four Township Trustees to be elected, the Democrats slated only one. His name is Scott White.

No nominations were made for any other offices.

From the Democratic Party of McHenry County:

Notice of Democratic Caucus

Dorr Township and McHenry Township Democrats are invited to attend a caucus on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. to nominate candidates for the Spring 2013 election for Township offices. If you are a resident of either of these townships, please plan on attending the caucus.

This is an important chance to continue our efforts to break the Republican stranglehold on local government. Your participation is essential.

Visit our website for more information

Dorr Township residents, click here. The meeting will be held December 4, 2012 from 7 to 9 at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W Judd St.

McHenry Township residents, click here. The caucus will be held at the McHenry Township Hall Tuesday, December 4, 2012 from 7 to 9.
Democratic Party of McHenry County

http://www.mchenrydems.org/

McHenry Township Assessor Carol Perschke outlines her qualifications:

Information, Innovation, Leadership

I’m Carol Perschke, McHenry Township Assessor since 1995, running for re-election in 2013. I have a Democratic opponent.

My office has served property owners with information, innovation and leadership. Future vision includes continued excellence in service, fairly and professionally.

Information & Customer service

• Education in person, print and web
• Ask the Assessor night
• Extended office hours and home visits

Innovation

• Online access since 2000/2001
• Ongoing work toward paperless office
• Advanced assessment software user

Leadership

• Department head; award winning professional
• 2012 budget lower than 2009
• Past officer County Assessors Association & Illinois Assessors Association
• Current chairman Illinois Property Assessment Institute
• McHenry Lions Club since 1999; current 2nd vice president

I have the passion/energy to continue making ours the best assessment office in the county.

Please choose me on April 9, 2013 based on qualifications and accomplishments, not generic promises. My education, qualifications and accomplishment details will follow.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Carol L. Perschke, CIAO/I
McHenry Township Assessor

With no competition for the Republican nominations for McHenry Township Office, taxpayers will forego the cost of a primary election.

Here’s who filed for what:

• Supervisor – Donna Schaefer
• Road Commissioner – Leon VanEvery
• Assessor – Carol L. Perschke
• Clerk – Bruce Novak
• Trustee (4 to be elected):

• Craig Adams
• Marsha Nelson
• Doug Carlile
• Neal Schepler

Let’s go through the townships in alphabetical order to see how the Real Estate Tax cap affects how much money they can collect.

This information, as with previous articles about the Tax Cap, comes from the McHenry County Clerk’s web site, Tax Rate page.

Alden Township

The township has a maximum tax rate of 24 cents per $100 of assessed valuation in the Town Fund.

While 3% increase is allowed in the Tax Cap allowed next year, Alden Township will only be able to get about half that amount because it is so close to the 25 cent limit right now–24.639.

In fact, when taking into account that overall assessments will be down 9%, as ordered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, Alden may be getting much less than expect.

There is no maximum limit for Public Assistance, so it remains not subject to the Tax Cap.

The Road District, which is a separate taxing entity, can get 3% more because its rates are so far under the statutory maximum.

Algonquin Township

The Town Fund is well below the maximum rate of 25 cents per hundred.

The Public Assistance Fund is not capped.

As in Alden Township, the Road District in Algonquin Township is well under its maximum tax rates on Tax Capped funds.

For a story about what happened when the levies were passed, click here.

Burton Township

McHenry County’s smallest township in area is no where near its maximum rate in the Town Fund.

The Road District is so far under the statutory limits that taxpayers cannot expect the Tax Cap to give less than a 3% increase, if it is requested by the Road Commissioner.

Chemung Township

The township that covers most of Harvard, Chemung Township, also does not have tax rates that are close to the statutory maximum.

The same goes for the Road District’s Road and Bridge Fund.

The Permanent Road Fund is different, however. It is so close to its 25 cents per hundred dollars of assessed valuation, that the Road Commissioner will be able to get less than 1.5% increase, instead of the full 3% that the Tax Cap law would allow.

Coral Township

The township which contains the Village of Union, Coral, is also well under its maximum limit for the Town Fund.

The Road Commissioner’s funds are, too.

Dorr Township

Most of Woodstock is in Dorr Township.

Dorr is well below the maximum rates in all funds under the control of both the Supervisor and the Road Commissioner.

Dunham Township

The southern part of Harvard is in Dunham Township.

The Town Fund is at 22.9 cents per hundred–close to the 25 cent maximum, but not close enough to limit a 3% increase, if requested by the Town Board.

However, once the 9% lower assessed valuation for the county as a whole works its way through the tax rate setting system, the Town Fund may well bump up against the limit set by law, resulting in next year’s tax take to being about the same as this year’s.

Of the three funds overseen by the Road Commissioner, only the 16.5 cent Road and Bridge Fund is at its maximum.  Again the “9% factor” may come into play.

The Permanent Road Fund and the Equipment & Building Fund are not.

3% Tax Cap allowed increases will be the least of the worries for Dunham Township taxpayers, however.

Last fall a bond referendum to finance road building passed 63-37, so taxes will go up.

Grafton Township

Grafton Township is also well below the maximum rates set by State Statute in the funds administered by the Supervisor.

The same is not true of the Township Road Commissioner’s Road and Bridge Fund. It cannot be increase by 3% next year.  About as much will be collected next year as was this year.

The Permanent Road Fund, on the other hand, has room for a lot of upside movement.

Greenwood Township

The township that runs from northern Woodstock on the South to Wonder Lake on the Northeast, is in no danger of reaching the 25 cent Town Fund maximum rate.

The capped funds in the Road District aren’t either.

Hartland Township

Northwest of Woodstock running up toward Harvard is Hartland Township.

The Town Fund is about 4 cents short of the maximum set by law and will be able to get an extra 3%, if the Township Board levies it, even if assessments go down 9%.

In the Road District, the Road and Bridge Fund is at its maximum, but the Permanent Road and Building & Equipments Funds are not.

Hebron Township

North of Greenwood Township is Hebron Township.

Its Town Fund is in pretty much the same shape as Hartland’s–almost four cents of growth left before State law steps in and stops it.  The year after next might be considered a problem from the Road Commissioner’s point of view.

The Road and Bridge Fund is very close to its limit, but, again, the Permanent Road and Building & Equipments Funds are not.

Marengo Township

Not even close to the maximum Town Fund tax rate is Marengo Township.

With two 3% cost-of-living increases, the Marengo Township Road and Bridge Fund will top out and taxpayers will see some relief.

The Permanent Road Fund is well under its 25 cents per $100 of AV limit

McHenry Township

The second largest township in McHenry County–McHenry Township–is at about half it maximum tax rate in the Town Fund.

The concentration of commercial and industrial assessed valuation allows the Road District funds to operate well under their maximums as well.

Nunda Township

Running from Crystal Lake Avenue north to southern McHenry, Nunda Township’s Town Fund rate is just over one-third of what it could be under State law.

The same goes for the funds under the Road Commissioner.

Richmond Township

To the west of tiny Burton Township lies Richmond Township.

The Town Fund tax rate is well under the minimum, as are the Road District rates.

Riley Township

In the southwestern corner of McHenry County is Riley Township. That part of McHenry County through which the Illinois Tollway goes is all in Riley Township.

Rural, except for the southern part of the City of Marengo, but poised for explosive growth if there is ever a Tollway interchange built at Route 23.

The Town Fund in Riley is in similar shape to those in Hartland and Hebron Townships.

The funds in the Road District are well under their maximums.

Seneca Township

The western part of Woodstock is in Seneca Township.

It’s where one of my ancestors settled in the 1830′s before deciding to more east to Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Its Town Fund is at a rate that will take a long time to reach the 25 cent maximum.

Its Road District funds are well below their maximums, too.

My first public meeting was a hearing at the Algonquin Township Garage while I was still in college.

For some reason, my father was interested in a Silver Lakes non-dedicated road hearing.

At the time, Silver Lakes, near Cary, had roads, but they were not in the township system because they were not up to the standards set by some agency unknown to me at the time.

The meeting was part of a process to initiate a special assessment program to raise money to improve the roads enough for Township Road Commissioner Julian Dvorak to take over their maintenance.

That was probably in 1963 or 1964.

After I took office as McHenry County Treasurer in 1966 it was my job to collect the special assessments.

Intervening was a court suit that declared the law authorizing the special assessments unconstitutional.

I can’t remember the details, but we kept collecting the money to pay off the bonds.

When the Constitutional Convention was held, one part specifically authorized such assessments for a specific purpose for a specific area.

It’s called a Special Service Area Assessment.

Developers now use the tool to stick homeowners with infrastructure costs that previously would have been part of homes’ purchase prices.

But the unincorporated road problem continues to exist in McHenry County, where dozens of subdivisions, especially along the Fox River, have roads that are not as wide or thick as Township Road Commissioners would like.

Trees are in the right-of-way.

Lots of problems from a Road Commissioner’s point-of-view.

The signers of the letter when McHenry County Blog received it were

• Reihansperger – Fair Oaks Subdivision
• Cosgrove – Bay View Lane, Pistakee Bay
• Anthony Kless – Wonder Woods
• Edward Wolff – North Shore POA
• Robert Beltran- East Pistakee Bay Rd. Assoc.
• Mark Galasso – Mineral Springs Assoc.

All are from McHenry Township.

Algonquin Township’s top elected officials decided to ask for 2% raises each year for the next four years.

The salaries would have looked like the following, had the proposal passed:

While advanced by Township Trustee Dan Shea, fellow Fox River Grove Township Trustee Lowell Cutsforth amended the motion to freeze the salaries for two years, followed by two years of 2% increases.

That motion ended up passing 4-1.

The newest member of the Board, Russell Cardelli, wanted to freeze the salaries for the entire four years, as McHenry Township proposes.

His was the only “No” vote on the amended salary resolution.