County Home Rule, That Is, “May We Raise Your Taxes with Your Referendum Approval?” Surfaces on County Board Committee Agenda

The Administrative Services Committee is laying the wish of tax hiking McHenry County Board members out for everyone to see.

Here are two items on June 8th at 8:30:

6.1Resolution Requesting the Submission of a Binding Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government (18)

6.2Resolution Requesting the Submission of an Advisory Question of Public Policy to the Electors of McHenry County Regarding Becoming a Home Rule County and Adopting the County Executive Form of Government (18)

Both of these proposals will start tuning McHenry County into Cook County.

The “Don’t Cook County Our McHenry County” sign was distributed in County Republics Headquarters.

It is really hard to believe that the Republican-dominated McHenry County Board would even consider this.

There are only two Illinois counties where officials have given

• this much power to tax without voter approval and
• this much power to the person heading the County Board

They are Cook and Will Counties.

State Rep. Mike Tryon led the opposition to State Rep. Jack Franks’ attempt to created the County Executive form of government.

Although Franks’ referendum was defeated, for four years he acted as if it had passed while McHenry County Board Chairman.

It’s hard not to conclude that any Republican up for election this fall doesn’t have a death wish.

With the national situation being the way it is, Republicans are going to have a hard enough time winning elctions without a Home Rue (let us tax you without you permission) referendum to defend.

From a personal point of view, I had hoped that our barely unsuccessful campaign to kill so, so deceptive campaign to raise taxes would be my last foray in the public arena.

Sun-Times Rhapsodizes over (Half Percentage Point) Conservation District Referendum Victory

GOP Requests “No” Vote on Conservation District Referendum to Gut the Tax Cap and Preserve a MCCD Tax Rate Cut of 60%

Sweat equity was the main investment of opponents of the MCCD referendum. Supporters spent $200,000 or so.

Sweat Equity vs. $204,000 in Conservation District Referendum Campaign to Hike Tax Rate by 33%

Conservation 33% Tax Hikers Win $200,000+ to $2,500 Referendum Campaign

But my yard is still available.

Here are the considerations County Board rules think ARE RELEVANT:

Background and Discussion: N/A
Impact on Human Resources: N/A
Impact on Budget (Revenue; Expenses, Fringe Benefits): N/A
Impact on Capital Expenditures: N/A
Impact on Physical Space: N/A
Impact on Other County Departments or Outside Agencies: N/A
Conformity to Board Ordinances, Policies and Strategic Plan: N/A

Note that any impact on taxpaying constituents seems to be irrelevant.

Anyone willing to help defeat a Home Ruse referendum campaign, please email me at calskinner2@gmail.com