From the McHenry County Republican Party Executive Committee:
Resolution Opposing the Proposed McHenry County Property Tax Levy Increase
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board is considering approval of a county property tax levy which represents the highest single-year increase inMcHenry County history; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County voters passed a referendum to eliminate a nearly $11 million county property tax levy to fund the McHenry County Mental Health Board and replace it through funding implemented with a new 0.25% sales tax; and
WHEREAS, the McHenry County Board publicly indicated that passage of such referendum would be honored as promised; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County Board members campaigned on pledges to hold the line on property taxes, supporting reductions and vowing to oppose county property tax levy increases; and
WHEREAS, several McHenry County Board members indicated their support or consideration of the highest single-year county property tax levy in McHenry County history, in direct contradiction to both their promises and the will of McHenry County voters, by reimplementing the county property tax levy reduction approved by the voters; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County has an excess general fund reserve over its amply set target general fund reserve balance of five months; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County’s proposed current budget includes non-mandatory spending; and
WHEREAS, McHenry County’s Finance & Audit Committee did not approve the county property tax levy presented on the McHenry County Board’s agenda for October 21, 2025;
WHEREAS, McHenry County has a multitude of options to honor the will of its voters and promises by McHenry County’s elected officials to eliminate the county property tax levy of approximately $11 million; and
WHEREAS, small government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability are core Republican principles, and the proposed single-year record county property tax levy increase would contradict those principles and ignore the will of McHenry County residents who are already struggling with inflation and high costs of living;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the McHenry County Republican Central Committee formally opposes any increase to the McHenry County property tax levy, and specifically denounces the current proposal under consideration by the McHenry County Board which ignores the express intention of McHenry County’s voters and promises of its elected officials; and [Emphasis added.]
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be shared publicly and transmitted to all members of the McHenry County Board, including Michael Skala (Finance Committee) and Peter Austin (County Administrator), who are leading the committee in favor of the levy increase, as a statement of the Committee’s firm opposition and advocacy for responsible, taxpayer-first governance
