Recently, I noted that the measurements for goals in the 2016 McHenry County Action Plan regarding a new contract with the Feds for putting people in the McHenry County Jail were weak.

They were what I would call “process” goals, rather than “performance goals.”

In sharp contrast to one measurement for jail staffing levels (“Maintain an inmate carrying cost of $95 /day or less” — actually more of a goal than a measurement, but at least people will be able to see whether it costs more than $95 a day).

The contact “measurements” can be seen below:

• Measurement 1: Conclude negotiations by August 2016.
• Measurement 2: Monthly reports and updates to Law & Justice Committee.

Now look at what is said about jury fees, which, thanks to votes by local Democrat Jack Franks, have skyrocketed because of legislation raising payments to jurors:

Goals and measurement for jury fees.

Originally, the measurement was to be “Quarterly reports and updates to Lake & Justice Committee.”

But, apparently County Board member Andrew Gasser asked what the reports would contain.

He offered an amendment adding, “which includes a comparison of jury fees prior to the unfunded mandate.”

Andrew Gasser count his amendment as keeping a campaign promise to provide more transparency in County Government.

Gasser was asking for something any rational decision-maker would need to formulate policy.

His motion passed 15-8.

Those voting against what Gasser calls a “Transparency Amendment” were

• Sue Draffkorn – District 4
• Tina Hill – District 5
• John Jung – District 5
• Donald “Don” Kopsell – District 3
• Robert “Bob” Martens – District 4
• Anna May Miller – District 1
• Robert “Bob” Nowak – District 1
• Larry Smith – District 6

Draffkorn, Hill and Miller are on the ballot in the Republican Primary Election.

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It is hard to comprehend why anyone would vote against Gasser’s innocuous proposal.