McHenry County Blog

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Editor’s note: I’m leaving this story near the top because I am so infuriated at the misleading recorded telephone call I received Friday night asking me to vote for the 10 cent per $100 of assessed valuation tax increase. I don’t mind emotional pitches, but saying voting for a tax will save us money is too, too outrageous to let pass unnoticed.

Since writing this, Fox River Grove Republican Precinct Committeeman has published the table you see below on his blog.

Look near the bottom and, then, the right hand column.

You will see residents in McHenry County are the 25th highest taxed in the whole country when taxes are compared to income.  We have the 29th highest property taxes.

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Written Thursday night, April 4th-

Even as I was listening to the 377 Board tax hike robo-call, I couldn’t believe my ears.

Misleading at best and deliberately deceitful at worst, I concluded.

I dealt with the frustrations of parents with developmentally disabled children the entire sixteen years I served as State Representative, eight years in the 1970′s and eight years in the 1990′s.

I know that the state employees union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), does everything it can to protect state employee’s jobs.

Even if it means housing DD individuals in state facilities which cost $100,000 a year per person, as the robo-caller said.

Cost-benefit analysis does not make any difference to such unions.

It certainly is cheaper, but, more importantly, more humane, to house those who cannot fully take care of themselves in neighborhood locations.

Whether it costs the small amount (which I did not jot down, but seemed low to me ) asserted in the robo-call is true or not, I do not know.

I do know it is not the job of taxpayers in McHenry County to pay for services State government should be providing.

The admonition of the robo-caller to “keep tax dollars right her in McHenry County rather than send[ing] them off to Springfield” is made of the stuff that used to be below my grandmother’s outhouse in Crumpton, Maryland.

No one is going to reduce State taxes on McHenry County residents if people vote to raise their property taxes by ten cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.

And our real estate taxes don’t get sent to Springfield.

The quoted assertion above would never hold up in an open forum.

It is too ridiculous.

It is meant to delude the–what do the pundits call them?–low information voters.

If people vote “Yes” on the 377 Board referendum, State taxes will not be cut for us.

But that is what the robo-caller wants people to believe.

Passage of the referendum will mean property taxes will be increased $9 million next year, with more to come every year thereafter.

$60 for a $200,000 home to start; $90 for a $300,000 home.

More if the real estate market increases the value of your home.

My memory of sixteen years in the Illinois General Assembly tells me that raising taxes in McHenry County for the 708 Mental Health Board encouraged Springfield decision makers to send us less than our fair share.

That’s because State bureaucrats perceived that other parts of the state without local funding needed the state subsidies more.

So, by increasing our property taxes still more for purposes for which the 708 Board funding was created, we will probably be contributing to our getting even less than comes now.

Let me give another reminder of the pushers of this tax hike with memories that do not go back to the late 1960′s when the Mental Health Board was created by referendum.

It was supported by both those seeking mental health funding and those seeking funding for those who were then called “retarded.”

As McHenry County Treasurer, when tax anticipation warrants were issued after the first tax levy was passed, I personally took $25,000 checks to both Pioneer Center, then housed in the old Terra Cotta School, and to Family Services, headquarted down the street toward the Fox River from McHenry East High School’s campus.

The 708 Board got about $15 million last year.

If half of it did not got for DD services, why did the McHenry County Board approve its budget?

The Board members certainly did not have to.

And, if this referendum fails, as I hope it will, the County Board can tell the 708 Board what type of a budget it will approve and what will be unacceptable.

By the way, I fought to shift money from such DD state institutions to community care, finally seeing Governor George Ryan’s Mental Health and DD Department Director Ann Patla, a former head of Pioneer Center, submit such a budget.

That’s the fight proponents of this referendum should be fighting…rather than trying to pry money out of our pockets.

A press release from the McHenry County 708 Board:

Rebuttal to “Mental Health Board’s way at stake”

By Lee Ellis, president of the McHenry County Mental Health Board

January 28, 2013

The McHenry County Mental Health Board (MHB) deems it necessary to clarify information and correct inaccuracies presented in the article “Mental Health Board’s way at stake” by Kevin Craver published on the front page of the Northwest Herald on Jan. 24, 2013, and in the Northwest Herald’s “Our View” editorial on Jan. 27, 2013.

Both of these pieces fuel ongoing misperceptions regarding how the MHB manages taxpayer dollars designated for the treatment of

• mental illness,
• developmental disabilities,
• chemical abuse, and
• traumatic brain injury

At a time when social services are deeply affected by cutbacks and late payments by the state, our community needs to work together to meet the needs of our citizens.

Effective collaborations benefit the people we serve, and effective collaborations can only begin with an understanding of the facts.

The MHB has dealt with differing opinions on how to manage tax dollars designated for the mental health fund since the people of McHenry County voted to establish a 708 Board, or Mental Health Board, in 1967.

The Board frames its decisions on management of taxpayer dollars based on its mission and by the mandates of the Illinois Community Mental Health Act.

The mission and mandates require the MHB to provide leadership in planning, coordinating, developing, and contracting for quality services for our citizens.

Transparency of MHB governance is an issue that comes up repeatedly. All MHB meetings are open to the public, and public comment is welcomed at each meeting. Meeting agendas are posted on McHenry County and MHB websites, and on the bulletin board just outside the main entrance to the MHB building. All MHB meeting minutes are available on the McHenry County Government website. The MHB also facilitates meetings of provider agencies monthly to share information and concerns.

Members of the community are welcome to contact the MHB at any time for clarification of any MHB related business.

Discussion of allocation of taxpayer dollars designated for the mental health fund in Craver’s article is sketchy and presents an inaccurate picture.

He notes that a Jan. 13 financial report shows that of the $13.1 million in revenue from taxes, $8.7 million is designated for use by community social services agencies, and that the MHB keeps “more than $4.4 million for itself.”

Craver does not explain that this $4.4 million includes funds for

• facilitation of community supports for family centered programs such as WRAPAROUND and
• Screening Assessment and Support Services (SASS).

This part of the budget also includes funding for

• psychological evaluations,
• mentoring, and
• medication support, as well as for
• the CareTrak program and
• client transportation.

It also includes scholarships for

• consumers and
• staff of funded agencies so they can attend trainings and conferences related to mental health.

Costs for management of clinical records of former clients of Family Services and Community Mental Health Center fall under this category.

It additionally includes MHB support of coordination programs such as Individual Care Grants, which are required as part of the SASS program, and support of Crisis Services.

All of these programs, and others, comprise a significant portion of the $4.4 million which Craver attributes to MHB administration.

Craver’s article also references criticisms of the MHB’s decision on the building expansion project.

The MHB used funds made available through the Americans Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the capital costs.

These funds could only be used for capital projects and were not available to providers for services.

The now completed expansion provides rent-free space for several consumer-operated community organizations and groups.

Just one example is the McHenry County McCap program, which serves young adults with special needs; McCap uses two conference rooms Monday through Friday.

Another inaccuracy in Craver’s article references a contract with Virginia Commonwealth University to pay former Executive Director Sandy Lewis $150 per hour for consultation services. Craver obtained this

This proposed contract was never fully negotiated and was never signed by either the MHB or by Virginia Commonwealth
University.

The MHB previously advised the Northwest Herald on Nov. 27, 2012 in a Freedom of Information Act response to Sarah Sutschek of the Northwest Herald that “…there are no ‘Independent Contractor Agreements with Virginia Commonwealth University’ that have been entered into by or on behalf of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.”

Critics question funding of the former MHB Executive Director Sandy Lewis’ doctorial studies.

The MHB negotiated tuition costs with Dr. Lewis to promote continuing education and quality leadership development on behalf of the MHB, and it benefited throughout the education process.

The Board is currently reevaluating its policies on education benefits.

The MHB is guided by a volunteer board of eight community members who are appointed by the County Board, and one County Government  liaison. Its yearly budget is reviewed and appropriated by the McHenry County Board each year.  Additionally, MHB staff meets regularly with the Public Health and Human Services committee.

Furthermore, the MHB is CARF accredited, which is earned through a rigorous peer review process to ensure commitment to programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons serviced.

The size of the MHB staff is frequently questioned by critics.

It is important to note that mental health boards across the state are very different in size, scope, and levy.

MHB staff size is driven by the community development required to effectively and efficiently support a community behavioral health system that serves the citizens of McHenry County.

Accountability and compliance to the rules and regulations of federal and state contracts are another factor.

Questions from the community are always welcome. The next meeting of the MentalHealth Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 6 p.m. at 620 Dakota Street inCrystal Lake. For information call the MHB at 815-455-2828, or check out the MHB website: www.mc708.org.

Here’s a resolution that the McHenry County Board’s Public Health Committee is considering.

Please read it carefully and tell me if you think any County Board member who votes for it is saying that he or she is saying that passage of the tax hike is a good thing. I have put in italics what makes me think so.

WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board does hereby find and determine that there are insufficient funds available providing for facilities and/or services for the developmentally disabled in McHenry County; and

WHEREAS, it has hereby been determined by the McHenry County Board that the need exists for a levy and collection of a tax not to exceed .1% of the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue of all taxable property in the County; and

WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board is authorized to submit the proposition of such levy to the voters of McHenry County pursuant to the Illinois County Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act (55 ILCS 105); and

WHEREAS, such proposition must be approved by a majority of the voters of the County voting on such proposition at an election to be held in and for the County; and

WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board has hereby deemed it advisable, necessary, and in the best interests of the County that the proposition of levying and collecting said tax as above referred to, be submitted to the voters of the County at an election to held and conducted in accordance with general election law.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the County Board of the County of McHenry, Illinois as follows:

Section 1. Incorporation of Preambles: The McHenry County Board hereby finds all of the recitals contained in the preamble to this Resolution are full, true and correct and does incorporate them into the Resolution by reference.

Section 2. Need for Tax: It is necessary and in the best interests of McHenry County, in order to provide sufficient funds for the provision of facilities and/or services for the developmentally disabled, that the County levy and collect a tax not to exceed .1% of the value as equalized or assessed by the Department of Revenue of all taxable property in the County for said purpose.

Section 3. Submission to Voters: The proposition herein referred to shall be submitted to the voters of McHenry County in accordance with the general election law at the consolidated election to be held on Tuesday, the 9TH day of April, 2013, between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. on said day (hereinafter “Election”).

Section 4. Voting Precincts and Polling Places: The Election shall be held in the voting precincts and at the polling places established by the McHenry County Board, for voters of McHenry County at the Election.

Section 5. Election Notice: The County Clerk of McHenry County shall give notice of the Election in accordance with the general election law by (1) publishing the Notice not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the Election in a local community newspaper having general circulation in the County, and (2) posting a copy of the Notice at least 10 days before the date of the Election at the principal office of the County Clerk.

Section 6. Newspaper of General Circulation: It is hereby found and determined that the Northwest Herald is a local, community newspaper having general circulation in McHenry County as is required by Section 12-5 of the Election Code of the State of Illinois.

Section 7. Form of Notice: The Notice shall appear over the name or title of the McHenry County Clerk and shall be substantially in the following form:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the election to be held on Tuesday the 9th day of April, 2013, the following proposition will be submitted to the voters of the County of McHenry, Illinois:

Shall McHenry County levy an annual tax not to exceed .1% upon the equalized assessed value of all taxable property in the county for the purposes of providing facilities or services for the benefit of its residents who are intellectually disabled or under a developmental disability and who are not eligible to participate in any program provided under Article 14 of the School Code, 105 ILCS 5/14.1-1.01 et. seq., including contracting for those facilities or services with any privately or publicly operated entity that provides those facilities or services either in or out of the county?

YES _______
NO ________

The Polls of said election will be open at 6:00 A.M. and will continue to be open until 7:00 P.M. of that day.

Dated this _______ of ______________, 2012
____________________________________

County Clerk of the County of McHenry, Illinois

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It seems to me that it is up to the public, not the County Board to determine whether there is adequate money.

I vividly remember taking the first checks from the 708 Board tax, approved by referendum first to Pioneer Center in its first location at the old Terra Cotta School and second to Family Services in a building east of what is now McHenry East High School.

I believe each agency got half of the proceeds.

So, there is obviously no reason that the 708 Board money could not now be evenly divided between those with Developmental Disabilities and those with mental health needs.

The 708 Board has earmarked so much of its money to its new structure, showing  by such votes that the building was more important that providing additional funds to the Developmentally Disabled.

Without extensive County Board hearings on how the 708 Board has husbanded the money it gets every year, I surely would not vote for this resolution.

But, instead of trying to pry more of our tax money out of the 708 Board, supporters of the Developmentally Disabled have embarked on a path to pry more money out of taxpayers pockets through a new “377″ tax.

So at the next and lame duck County Board meeting eight of 24 votes will be cast by people who have no citizen mandate after the first week in December.

What the social service supplicants don’t recognize is that the more money that is pried out of McHenry County homeowners’ pockets, the less that state government puts in.

That’s not fair, of course, but most who receive tax dollars really don’t care where their funding comes from…as long as it comes.

The tax would be 10 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

A public official mentioned that the Tax Cap is going to “cost” the McHenry County Mental Health Board $600-900,000 this coming year.

Problem about bumping up against the Property Tax Cap, I gathered.

Whenever I heard a tax district official complaining about losing money because of PTELL (the acronym of the law’s title, which only the technocrats use), I think, “That means the taxpayers are saving ‘X’ dollars.”

Just a difference of perspective I figure.

Taxeater vs. taxpayer.

I decided to take a look at the McHenry County Clerk’s web site page for tax rates for this year to see where taxpayers might save money next year because this year’s tax rate is closer to the maximum rate set by law that the district could not get the 3% inflationary rate.

Looking at the Mental Health Board first, I saw a maximum tax rate of 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

Last year’s tax rate was 14.3976 cents per $100. (And, yes, the decimals go that far.)

When I multiplied the increase of the CPI times 14.3976 I got 14.8295–still under the maximum rate.

If there is to be a “loss” of $900,000 because of the Tax Cap, I don’t see why.

I guess I misunderstood what would be causing the loss.

Now, if the rate of inflation went up 3% next year, too, then the Mental Health Board would be over the 15 cent rate set by voters in its referendum approval of the tax district.

Even so, it’s an interesting question.

Which districts are close to having to live like taxpayers on a fixed income?

Think retirees not on a government pension.

It won’t ever be McHenry County government, because there is no statutory maximum on its

• corporate rate
• pension rate
• Social Security or
• liability insurance

The Tax Cap is the only thing keeping these rates in check.

And, we know that the McHenry County Board has adopted a policy in recent years of taxing to the max.

You know what they say about stocks: “Past performance is no prediction of future performance.”

The County Board could change its ways.

Maybe it will.

That’s certainly what is being reported in the two Heralds.

The County Board could pass its levy before the November election, too.

Anyone want to bet they will?

Last year the budget was passed in mid-November.

So, all we have is past performance.

Here are last year’s roll calls, which resulted in County government’s getting as much money as possible under the Tax Cap.

Ready to attend a public meeting of the Search Committee of the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 7 AM Thursday morning?

As of 1:30 on Wednesday, there’s not notice of it on the County’s web site.

The Special Board Meeting at 7:30 AM tomorrow is listed on the County calendar, but the 7 AM committee meeting is not.

Both meeting are posted on the Mental Health Board calendar, as you can see below:

So, if one looks in the right place, members of the public would be able to discover when the meetings are to be held Thursday.

The next question is what the meetings are all about.

“As of June 1, 2012 MHB Meeting Agendas and Minutes can be accessed through the McHenry County Web site at the following link: Click Here,” is the message at the left of the calendar on the Mental Health Board web site.

So, I clicked and found the screen at the top of this article.

Remember there is no information about the committee meeting, so no way to get the Agenda for it.

I clicked on the Agenda for the Special Meeting and found what you see below:

The Agenda’s first item is the revision of the appeal procedures that were discussed at both the Ethics and Compliance Committee meeting on August 20th and the Board meeting afterward.

What’s the revision?

No way to find out before the meeting.

When I clicked on the “Agenda Packet” tab at the County’s web site (to which, remember, the Mental Health Board points to), all one can find is another copy of the Agenda you see above.

So, what are the revisions to the new appeals procedure that I did my best to explain here?

If you get up in time for the 7:30 meeting, you can find out.

A press release from the McHenry County Board:

McHenry County Receives Three National Association of Counties Achievement Awards

WOODSTOCK, IL – McHenry County was recently recognized by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for implementing innovative county government programs to better serve area residents. The 2011 NACo Achievement Awards winners were honored during the NACo’s 76th Annual Conference and Exposition in Portland, Oregon.

McHenry County received three NACo Achievement Awards for its

• Winter Snow & Ice Workshop,
• Community Partners – Mental Health Awareness for All, and
• MAPP Heart Age Assessment Tool.

 Winter Snow & Ice Workshop

The Winter Snow & Ice Workshop teaches public and private snow plow operators and contractors how to safely and effectively manage winter snow and ice and how to safely handle road salt and de-icing chemicals in order to minimize the potential for water pollution.  The workshops are an important component of the County’s continued commitment to protecting its water quantity and quality.  For more information on this program, please contact Cassandra McKinney at 815-334-4213.

 Community Partners – Mental Health Awareness for All

The purpose of Community Partners – Mental Awareness for All is to change perceptions of mental health through education by an initiating and nurturing community group.  It is a unique partnership working to reduce stigma and raise consciousness and understanding of mental illness in McHenry County.  For more information on this program, please contact Barb Iehl at 815-455-2828.

 MAPP Heart Age Assessment Tool

Department of Health – MAPP Heart Age Assessment Tool, a community-based cardiovascular screening program designed to identify and educate adults 30-75+ years of age of the risks associated with heart disease; the tool measures body mass index and blood pressure against age, gender, height, weight, smoking and diabetic status and how it affects their heart’s “true age”.  For more information on this program, please contact Deb Quackenbush at 815-334-4456.

“It is an honor for McHenry County to be recognized through the NACo Achievement Awards for these top notch programs,” stated County Board Chairman Ken Koehler, “McHenry County continues to find innovative ways to meet the needs of our residents during these difficult economic times.”

The NACo Achievement Award program is a non-competitive program that recognizes counties for improving the management of and services provided by county government. Since the program’s inception in 1970, the NACo Achievement Award program has honored thousands of county government initiatives that have improved service delivery, achieved greater cost efficiency, provided finer customer service, and helped to develop a better-trained work force.  For more information on the NACo Achievement Awards, please visit www.naco.org.

There are some important issues in the county that the Alliance for Land, Agriculture and Water didn’t cover in its vote analysis which might help you make up your mind on how to vote.

The dates of the vote in the minutes of the County Board is included so you can independently verify or read more about the discussion and decision.

Here’s the vote on bonding for mental Health Board building expansion, February 16, 2010:

• For: Miller, Koehler, Merkel, Hill, McCann
• Against: Wheeler, Salgado, Kennedy
• Not on the Board at the time: Provenzano, Jung