In the October Finance Committee minutes from the McHenry County Board’s Finance Committee, the motion to hike property taxes was made by the Democrats’ pick to replace Republican Mike Buehler as County Board Chairman.
The motion was seconded by District 1 Board member Theresa Meshes, who is on the ballot against Republican Pat Sullivan.
That documentation is found at the bottom of the discussion in the minutes.
NEW BUSINESS (Emphasis added for tax hike discussion)
The committee was presented with items 7.1 and 7.2 and it was decided to discuss them in conjunction and vote on them together for a more streamlined process.
At the recent meeting, an additional IT position was expected for approval, prioritized for supporting the sheriff’s office. Mr. Austin noted that Mr. Sullivan, the IT Director, requested three new positions, with the sheriff’s IT role funded but the others deferred.
Ms. Wisz and Mr. Sullivan recommended revisiting a second IT position in mid2025, after confirming budget approvals and onboarding the first hire. This phased approach allows for clear fiscal conditions to better support any new hires.
A decision is needed on whether to include this position in the budget now or as an emergency appropriation later. Concerns remain about staffing redundancy for critical programs like OnBase and ERP, with practical planning advised to avoid urgent funding requests later.
The board’s primary focus is passing a budget that includes new growth and a CPI increase.
There was significant collaboration last year to secure resources without new growth or CPI increases.
This year, with rising unemployment and inflation, the goal is to advocate for taxpayers and prioritize safety and staff retention while avoiding unnecessary budget expansion.
For clarity, Mr. Sullivan has committed to reaching out if additional IT support is needed.
The CPI increase has been set at 2.4%, adjusted from 1.7% to accommodate additional deputies.
Wage increases, constituting 80% of expenses, reflect competitive adjustments across departments.
While economic pressures exist, unemployment is gradually decreasing, making it essential to maintain competitive wages, particularly in public safety
The board acknowledged staff’s trust in preserving services without raising the levy.
However, concerns were raised about relying on reserves for rising costs in employment, supplies, and technology, which could risk funding initiatives through ARPA.
Staff should clarify how reserve funds have been used, particularly in stabilizing the highway fund.
With McHenry County’s unemployment rate rising by 1.8% [should bhis be 1.8 percentage points?], the need for alternative revenue streams is emphasized to reduce reliance on property taxes.
Although other counties have successfully generated revenue while maintaining lower tax rates, McHenry County’s budget strategy must balance cost management and resource allocation to avoid new tax burdens.
Discussions noted that past tax freezes saved taxpayers $80 million over a decade. However, essential services, particularly for the sheriff’s department, continue to require reliable funding. Communication with municipalities on resource capabilities is critical, especially as ARPA funds are depleted.
A request was made to clarify the budget process and timeline, with the next steps allowing public commentary in October before the final November vote.
Mover: Meshes
Seconder: Wegener
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Both Democrats.
