The County needs to maintain facilities and update the infrastructure.
Brian Anderson, Sugar Grove, encouraged the Committee to listen to the September 2,
2025 Strategic Plan Subcommittee meeting. He stated that it was an embarrassment.
He explained that as a County taxpayer, he has witnessed a lack of real leadership. He
stated that it has been 200 days since the Strategic Plan contract was signed, and the
County is just now addressing it. He spoke on the obstacles faced when updating the
County website, such as the background color. Anderson stated that the County has
been charged $3K thus far for the Strategic Plan. He feels that the County should pay
the invoice and move on. He stated that the County has a balanced budget crisis to
address and should be putting their efforts into what matters. Anderson spoke on the
proposed Attrition Program, hiring freezes, and pay freezes. He stated that Strategic
Plan consultants would be coming to Kane County for three days to interview 100
constituents, which equates to 500 hours. He cannot see how the County can have
consultants come to speak to all stakeholders and Board members for a small amount
of time and receive the results they need. Anderson spoke on County Board Member
Bates' confusion on the needs of the citizens. He stated that Kane County citizens want
the Board to do their job and figure out on how to raise the budget.
Kane County resident, Jenine Mehr, addressed a troubling pattern in Kane County's
spending. She explained that the County is facing a massive budget shortfall in
FY2026. However, the County continues to pay taxpayer dollars on consultant driven
initiatives that produce very little. Mehr stated that the County has been billed $3K for
the Strategic Plan process, but has had no tangible output. She noted that the
Strategic Plan contract could cost the County $127,500. She spoke on the cost, results,
and poor business practices thus far. As a business owner, she stated that she would
expect a real return within a month or two. Mehr spoke on the $75K Climate Action
Plan with paleBluedot, LLC. She stated that this plan was supposed to be a blueprint
on how to fight climate change, but in practice, the County has seen very little. She
noted that the County cannot get their money back from the Climate Action Plan
consultant, but they still have time to cut their losses with the Strategic Plan consultants
before more money is wasted. She explained that these consultant projects are not
solutions, but are expensive distractions that spend taxpayer funds, while the County's
budget problems deepen. Mehr stated that the County's revenue is approximately
$108M, yet the Board approved budgets of $138M. Economics 101 has said spend
only what you take in. However, Kane County spends first and tries to find the
additional revenue later. Mehr stated that the residents of Kane County have provided
a clear message that they do not want any more taxes. However, residents are still
responsible for the CPI increases. Mehr stated that taxpayers cannot keep paying for
the fiscal mismanagement. Instead of consultants, Kane County should have all hands
on deck for budget cutting, such as offering early retirement, implementing hiring
freezes, and auditing departments. Kane County cannot afford more consultants or
more taxes. Leadership should demand fiscal discipline, not reckless spending. Mehr
stated the County should end wasteful contracts, stop spending taxpayers' money, and
match spending with revenue.
Michelle Bettag, St. Charles, explained that the County Board reminds her of the Bob
Newhart skits where he yells "Stop it!" at his therapy clients as a solution to their
problems. She stated that these skit reminds her of the Kane County Board. She