Name: Kenneth J. Schaffer
Position for which you are a candidate: Dundee Township Trustee
Why are you seeking this position?
I seek re-election as Trustee for Dundee Township to continue serving township residents. My interest is to continue bringing accountability, fiscal responsibility and appropriate intergovernmental cooperation to responsibly fulfill the obligations and benefits of existing and expanding operations for all Dundee Township residents.
What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
As a Trustee of Dundee Township for ~20 years and resident of the Township prior to being elected, I have experienced along with Township residents significant changes in various programs under the umbrella of the Township. Open Space, changes in Cemetery operations and the most recent Covid-19 Pandemic to name a few. As a current Township Board member, I wish to continue representing the residents and interests of the Township.
My past graduate education and my Master’s in Business Administration from Benedictine University allows me to provide a strong foundation and background for dealing with the ongoing financial and resource challenges presented to the Township.
I am very familiar with the existing and developing Township programs and departments. As an elected trustee I represent the interests of Dundee Township including the planning and approval of annual budgets and most ongoing operations and hope to continue doing the same.
What will be your highest priorities if elected?
Assisting in the management of limited financial resources of Dundee Township under direct control of the Township Board and communicating with Township residents the impact of new taxes attributed to overall Township operations, but not under the direct control of the Township Board. This presents challenges for existing Township services in attempting to maintain or expand existing services to Dundee Township residents.
With the passage of the 708 Mental Health board, taxes under the umbrella of Dundee Township will more than double this upcoming year. The 708 Mental Health Board, taxes and operations are not accountable to the Township Board. I do not believe most Township residents realize this.
Failure of the recent tax referendum for Township services presents additional challenges for direct Township operations under the control of the Township Board. There are limited and dwindling reserves available to expend on these Township programs. Unfortunately, until this year and although requested previously, a balanced budget concept for these operations has not been seriously considered by the collective board. This year’s budget has not yet been determined and cannot and will not be approved until after the beginning of the 2021-2022 fiscal year. Whether or not a “balanced budget” will be approved is yet to be determined.
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