District 5 County Board member Diane Evertsen.

The McHenry County Board approved a five-year contract for Peter Austin to continue in the position of county administrator but not without some healthy discussion and intimations of collusion by board members, during its regular Oct. 18 session.

The 13-8 tally allows a $180,000 salary, along with fully paid medical benefits and fully paid contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.

A nearly 30-minute back and forth debate by several board members preceded the vote that included a voice roll call that denied a motion to table the matter until after the Nov. 8 general election, when a new configuration of the board would be convened. In keeping with Illinois being an “at-will” state, a provision permits the board to end the contract on a majority vote.

Implications that “back-room” politics and conspiratorial actions amongst board members concerning the contract and its provisions were raised, since it did not pass through the county’s Human Resources Committee for their recommendation. The contract duration also drew complaints, as it was pro forma for its renewal annually.

Dist. 2 county board member Carolyn Schofield.

“This animosity (between board members) has been building and I’m not sure what created the environment,” said Carolyn Schofield (R-2nd). “Board members set the policy, and you expect the employees to carry it out. I was somewhat taken aback by conspiracy theories about the contract, and spoke out because the reality is that some members are working in an unprofessional manner.

“We need to keep good people, and if you want them to implement policy, you can’t have this micro-managing going on,” she said. “Especially, when they are doing a good job like the current administrator, and managing a $240 million county budget … you want to retain them.” Schofield will relinquish her board seat in November, but stay on, as the county’s representative to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency on Planning (CMAP).

At odds with the contract terms was board member Diane Evertsen (R-5th), who is “sticking to the promise of a two-term limit,” and also vacating her board position after the general election.

“I believe that the HRC should have input on this contract, there are several people on the board that are keenly aware of the financial plight of our constituents. The taxpayers of the county pay for this.

The McHenry County Board and the county government offices are housed in Woodstock’s McHenry County Administration Building.

“There are full 11 percent contributions to the IMRF, a $19,800 health insurance tab will be paid by the county, including medical, surgical, dental, and also for any dependents. Vacation time, anything accrued over 220 hours can be reimbursed for a cash payout … it’s not a savings account.”

Addressing the collusion of board members supporting the contract, she said, “Conspiracy? It’s a little silly but there are certain activities going on … like stocking committees with people that will give the answers you want. You have to be sensitive to the job, and the taxpayers. It’s public service,” she said.

In other county board action, Chris Christensen, a Cary businessman, was appointed to fill out the vacated 2½ month term of board member Nick Provenzano, whom resigned his seat to work for U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Plano) as a deputy district director. Christensen will also take Provenzano’s place on the Nov. 8 ballot, for the 3rd District board seat.

Christensen will also be a member of the county’s Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, while board member Larry Smith (R-5th), will assume Provenzano’s chairman position.