Zonta’s Candidate Night is Monday, October 15, 2012 at 6:30 PM at the Community Building, 111 West First Street Belvidere, Illinois
Bill’s speech:
Good evening. I am Bill Pysson, the Democratic candidate for District One, Boone County Board.
I wish to thank the Zonta Club for the opportunity to speak to you tonight regarding my aspirations for Boone County, the role of its county board, and how we can improve the county.
24 years ago my wife, our daughter then age 5 and our son, then age 3 and I moved here from McHenry County. We needed a bigger house to accommodate our growing children and desired a shorter commute for my wife’s teaching job in Marengo.
We feel we made a wise decision. Our children thrived in local schools and went on to the University of Illinois and are now pursuing their chosen careers in Chicago and Seattle.
I feel privileged to have been actively involved as an observer and participant in local government. I volunteered for numerous advisory groups at School District 100. I was actively involved in school referendum proposals, both on the “pro” and “con” side. I have been a member of the Bonus Township Planning Advisory Committee for five years.
The most important principle which I learned is that the citizens of Boone County demand and deserve the “full truth”. Anything less will in the end hinder real progress.
I began attending county board meetings at the request of several friends, who were also board members. They believed that speech, decorum and members’ actions were at times “inappropriate” when no member of the general public was present. I believe things are better now—not necessarily due to my actions.
I have questioned a number of the county’s actions. FOR INSTANCE, Four years ago the CPA audit was not available to the general public until September. The county’s fiscal year ends November 30. The audit was delivered 10 months after the year closed, just two months before the next fiscal year closes. State law requires that the audit be submitted to the Illinois Office of the Comptroller by June 1. I was told that that agency granted “an extension”. When I called the Comptroller no extension was requested by Boone County. Since 2009 I request in writing on June 1 the annual audit or the county’s written extension request.
ZONTA has requested my response to two questions:
First, Boone County’s number one problem is the economy and its effect on county finances. Sales taxes and other revenues are still down because of the “Great Recession”, state payments and transfers are late and grants are dwindling. Shortfalls have been covered by cutbacks on tax levies for the health and highway departments, drawing down special reserves and using Public Safety Building sales taxes for operations. This cannot continue much longer. Many question if the PSB tax will end in 2018 as promised. As a matter of trust, an advisory referendum should determine if the sales tax continues.
In regard to the second question: the homeless, victims of domestic violence and women’s health are most affected by three county agencies: Housing Authority, Health Department and the Sheriff’s Department. The county board has a limited degree of supervision over these agencies.
State law provides little financial oversight by the county board over housing and health boards. However the County Board Chairman with the board’s advice and consent appoints the board members of housing and health. In spite of questionable hiring practices and major omissions in board supervision, the directors of the two boards were reappointed.
This was not right. New volunteers are needed for the housing and health boards and their meeting times should be moved from the noon hour to times when the public (and prospective new members) can attend. Pressure from the public and the county board is needed to insure the needs of Boone County’s poor and innocent are better served by these two agencies.
The homeless and abused often need compassionate and effective law enforcement. As an elected official the Sheriff has a great deal of discretion in how he spends the money appropriated to his department by the county board. However the county board has budgetary responsibilities and should be demanding disclosure of all revenues received by the Sheriff’s Office and the office’s auxiliary activities. Proper accounting of expenditures is the responsibility of both the Sheriff and the county administration. Many current board members are not willing to ask question and unfortunately the Sheriff gives little information without being requested. This view is shared by me, some present board members and a local newspaper.
In addition to the above supervisory duties, members of the county board and the public should be better aware of what special programs exist for the homeless and abused. Perhaps there should be a summit of all involved agencies to outline what programs currently exist and how well they are working. The various charitable agencies and religious organization might also participate. After an evaluation perhaps new initiatives could be suggested.
Townships have responsibility for the indigent. They should also participate.
I thank you for listening I hope I gave you a picture of my views and what I will do as a member of the Boone County Board.
Below is the invitation letter. Click on the photocopy to enlarge.
