What they say about the issues
Here's what Gerry Cassioppi, Jim Healy and Tony Michelassi, candidates for the 5th District of the DuPage County Board, have to say about key issues:
If elected to the DuPage County Board, what would be your top priority? Cassioppi: My top priority is to bring an experienced business perspective and common sense to the County Board and the financial, public safety, transportation, economic development, education and health services issues that will continually challenge the county. As a CPA with financial, business and elected office experience, I will deliver the taxpayers a government that is fiscally responsible and better manages its financial and operational well-being and expectations - and not have doomsday situations be the norm.
Healy: I will continue to mandate a yearly line-by-line review of the budget, with full program accountability and justification, and require budgeting that looks 10-plus years into the future. Transportation will continue as a top priority. I'm advocating a new approach to transportation - an integrated and intermodal system. I will work to: (1) reduce congestion through improved signalization, and new right and left hand turn lanes, (2) expand access to commuter rail and parking, (3) expand the bus rapid transit system, (4) expand our aviation network and western access to O'Hare, and (5) integrate trail systems leading to schools, train stations and employment areas.
Michelassi: My No. 1 priority will be to keep the county budget in the black without increasing taxes or county service fees. As the financial crisis worsens, even our residents will be affected by rising prices on gas and food. Each branch of government should work to lessen the cost of the services they provide.
Now that DuPage's rapid population growth is tapering off and the county is entering a mature state, what do you see as the county's most pressing needs? Cassioppi: The county's needs will require ongoing development of prudent financial and budget plans that continuously evaluate services, with an emphasis on cost efficiency to properly manage and not waste its nearly $500 million budget. Through better financial planning, my goal is to be sure the county gets this done with as little of the taxpayers' money as possible and that no doomsday scenarios continue to occur for many years to come.
Healy: The county needs to maintain and improve its core governmental functions. We must (1) budget with an eye 10 to 20 years down the road to ensure funding is available to maintain our public safety and court system. (2) Prepare a capital infrastructure plan that looks 25 to 50 years into the future, and takes into account the condition of existing infrastructure and future infrastructure needs. (3) Modernize the county's computer system, which is obsolete, in disrepair and lacks even minimal safeguards. (4) Continue to expand our economic base by attracting and retaining businesses through an educated work force and an environment conducive to expanding business in DuPage.
Michelassi: The county has to ensure that its land is being used most effectively as far as zoning and the layout of our road network. Our population might be tapering off, but this will not lessen the demand on our transportation network to provide quick commute times into Cook County and to the College of DuPage. We should budget for a high priority on rapid public transit, not just on road improvements and also on increased capacity park-and-ride facilities and enhanced public rail transit.
Given that the county recently emerged from a two-year fund shortage, is Chairman Schillerstrom's proposed five-year, $220 million capital plan a good idea? Cassioppi: I generally support the chairman's proposed capital plan, in lieu of waiting for Springfield. Local economic development and transportation needs are important to every individual and business in this area, and the proposed goals are worthy to consider. However, from a funding perspective I would carefully analyze the underlying long-term financial implications of such a bond plan, based on assumptions of an increased sales tax that has not even been in effect for a year. My suggestions would be to use a blend of more immediately available funds and be sure to utilize very conservative assumptions for any bond plan.
Healy: A capital plan is something I fought to get for many years, but in these hard economic times we should move cautiously, take our time and implement a plan that looks 20-plus years into the future. Many improvements are needed to the county campus, the computer system and the convalescent center, and extensive investments are needed in our transportation systems. But the proposed plan is shortsighted, and relies too heavily on expensive bonding for a short lived "quick fix." Under the proposed plan, after five years several good projects will be done, but the bond funds will be gone, more infrastructure work will be needed, and all the funds from the sales tax will already be allocated for the next 25 years.
Michelassi: No, because the county has to prepare a more lean budget as we face further financial challenges in the future. We can't expect the sales tax revenue to last forever. We should be investing in a cushion - a strategic reserve fund to safeguard us against future budget shortfalls and against the global financial crisis. The chairman's infrastructure plan is a good idea at the wrong time. We should pay attention to more pressing problems such as the mitigation of the EJ&E railroad sale.
The proposed 2009 budget also increases spending for public safety by $8 million, health and human service programs by $5 million and includes $1.5 million for new transit routes. Is this a good way to spend the county's new revenues? Cassioppi: Each of these areas need to be considered as they have, but not necessarily provide the ultimate increases proposed. The county should not be committing to ongoing increased expenditures based on the new sales tax, until more definitive results are experienced. I am concerned that not enough is being placed in any dedicated reserve to protect taxpayers from future "doomsday scenarios" from the county. A more fiscally responsible approach would better limit some of the immediate budget increases and better fund such a reserve. No more surprises. For future cost reduction purposes and to align better with the private sector, I believe the time has come for a transition of the defined benefit pension plan structure to a defined contribution, 403(b) or 401(k) concept, starting with County Board members.
Healy: Yes, these expenditures are a good use of county funds. However, the additional sales tax revenues must be used for purposes specifically allowed for in the legislation: transportation and public safety. In these uncertain economic times we should be flexible and allow the yearly obligation of these funds to vary from a strict 50/50 split, as long as the aggregate over the years is fair. This allows us to use more funds for public safety in lean years, while moving transportation projects forward or back to compensate. These new revenues should be segregated and accounted for separately. Finally, we must resist over-obligating these funds in the first years, which is shortsighted and handcuffs future boards with debt.
Michelassi: Nobody can argue with increasing funds for public safety or health and human services. However, our health department has said they are able to do more with less and we should take that into account. If we can afford to spend less on that aspect of services, we should look toward investing it elsewhere. As for new transit construction, I don't think that DuPage County needs to be building new roads. We should budget for the maintenance of our existing ones and for their improvement as well as providing more funds to the regional transit authority to increase the availability of public transportation.
