McHenry County e-News

McHenry County, IL

9/23/2011

Ken Koehler County Board Chairman

Dear McHenry County Resident:

In the aftermath of the wind storm on Monday, July 11, a large portion of McHenry County citizens experienced extended power outages. To better serve our citizens in the future, the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency took the initiative in forming a Coordinating Council to respond to such events.

The McHenry County Emergency Management Coordinating Council will serve in a facilitation role for state, township, municipal, and county functions to pool their collective knowledge to support preparation and mitigation efforts. This coordination will lead to more efficient and cooperative resource management during emergencies and disasters throughout the County.

Further, the Coordinating Council will implement these efforts through the enhancement and development of emergency operations plans for all jurisdictions, review and implementation of best practices, fostering networking across disciplines, exploring grant opportunities, regional mutual aid, preliminary damage assessment, and standardized practices.

While we cannot always control the events or disasters that occur, McHenry County will continue to be a leader in responding in an efficient and effective manner. The Emergency Management Coordinating Council will be the engine to make this possible.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Koehler

County Board Chairman

County Board Member Spotlight:

Sandy Salgado

Sandy Salgado was elected to the McHenry County Board in November 2000 and currently resides in McHenry. Ms. Salgado is Vice-Chairman of the Public Health & Human Services Committee and is a member of the Management Services and Transportation Committees. Ms. Salgado is also the Chairman of the McHenry County Senior Services Grant Commission. Click here to learn more about Ms. Salgado.

Division of Transportation Update

COUNTY ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UPDATE

Rakow Road Reconstruction - The area schools are back in session and numerous minor adjustments to the temporary traffic signals have been implemented to optimize traffic movement, and MCDOT will continue to monitor traffic conditions throughout the project.

Concrete base course construction is now in full swing starting with smaller intersection pours followed by mainline paving. The concrete base course pavement does require sawcutting to control cracking, which must be accomplished within 4 to 24 hours after the concrete is placed. This will require some later than normal working hours for the sawcutting. For more information, please visit the project website at www.rakowroad.com.

MCDOT appreciates your patience and extra care in driving through construction zones.

Union Road Bridge Replacement - The contract completion date for this work is September 30, 2011. Some delays have been encountered and the work is now expected to be completed around October 15. The deck pour has taken place and the approach roadway construction is underway. Additional information is available at www.McHenryCountyDOT.org.

Lawrence Road Bridge Replacement over Lawrence Creek - Work started on this project on June 27, 2011. The bridge is open to one-way traffic using a temporary traffic signal. Stage I is complete and the one-way traffic is now running on the new bridge section.

Graf Road Bridge Replacement over Lawrence Creek - Work started on this project also on June 27, 2011. The new deck beam overlay has been placed and work has started on building the approach roadways.

Dunham Road Bridge Replacement over Rush Creek - This bridge west of Illinois Route 23 in Dunham Township was also closed in June for replacement, however utility relocations were not able to be completed in a timely manner. The bridge was re-opened to traffic on September 2 and construction will be resumed in the spring of 2012.

Blivin Street Bridge Replacement - The bridge was closed on August 8, 2011, with the detour route marked using U.S. Route 12, Wilmot Road and Main Street. Blivin Street will remain open to local traffic only up to the bridge, but the bridge will remain closed for the duration of the construction. Utility relocations were anticipated to start at that time, but delays have been encountered. The significant public utility relocation challenges are being addressed at this time; however, due to lost time it will not be possible to open the bridge to traffic by the milestone date of November 15. All efforts will be made to open the bridge to traffic at the earliest possible date with completion to occur in the spring of 2012.

Watch for notices of road closures, detour maps, and schedules for these projects at www.mchenrycountydot.org.

Visit www.McHenryCountyDOT.org and check out the interactive Construction Map for the latest information or links to specific projects.

McHenry County Department of Health Update

PERSONAL HEALTH SERVICES

McHenry County Flu Clinics

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) and Centegra Health System are partnering to offer a quit smoking class for adults beginning on Wednesday, September 28. The 7-week class will teach practical ways to end nicotine addiction through group support and behavior modification. It will also review nicotine replacement products that are currently on the market.

Instruction is provided by MCDH staff that are trained in the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking" program.

Classes will be held at Centegra Health Bridge Fitness Center in Crystal Lake, located at 200 Congress Parkway, on Wednesdays, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. A $25 course fee, payable at the first class, is refundable if all seven sessions are attended. Class members will also receive a free 3-day pass to the Health Bridge Fitness Center.

For more information, and to register, call 1-877-CENTEGRA, or visit www.mcdh.info. To speak with a counselor immediately, call the Illinois Tobacco Quitline at 1-866-QUIT-YES.

Animal Control

In the event your pet wanders from the safety of your home, it will be protected if it has a current rabies vaccination plus a microchip for quick identification. McHenry County Animal Control & Adoption Center (MCAC) will host a rabies ($10) and microchip ($15) event on Wednesday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at its Crystal Lake facility, 100 N. Virginia Avenue (corner of Woodstock Street and Route 14).

Registration fees are separate. Discounts for seniors apply and for pets who have been previously spayed or neutered when purchasing registration tags. Appointments are required at 815-459-6222.

Adoptions will also be available. Fees are $80 and include all vaccinations, spay/neuter, FELV & FIV testing, microchip, de-worming and a free first Veterinarian visit at participating veterinarians. Please visit www.mcdh.info (click on Animal Control) to view available pets.

Division of Water Resources Update

Managing Snow & Ice Control Operations Workshop

McHenry County's Division of Water Resources and Department of Transportation invite you to attend a workshop on Winter Snow and Ice Control on:

Thursday, October 13th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and
Friday, October 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The workshops will be held at the City of McHenry Public Works facility at 1415 Industrial Drive, McHenry, IL.

Removal of snow and ice from McHenry County pavement is essential for public safety and the local economy. This workshop will encourage sensible salting practices without compromising safety. Training topics include: Application Rates of Materials, How to Calibrate Equipment, Weather Conditions, Deicing Storage and Handling, Keeping Surfaces Safe, Environmental Effects, Truck Washing, New Maintenance Methods, State/Local Law, and a Hands-on Calibration Clinic for both municipal type plows as well as pick-up trucks with gravity fed units.

As part of the registration fee, participants will receive course materials, lunch, refreshments, and have the opportunity to receive Level 1: Certification (valid for three years) and continuing education credits (6 PDH's).

Preregistration for this event is required. For further information, please contact Cassandra McKinney at (815)334-0309 or visit the McHenry County Water Resources website at www.mchenryh2o.com.

*Course sponsored by the Illinois Section American Water Works Association, McHenry County Division of Water Resources, and McHenry County Division of Transportation and is hosted by the City of McHenry Public Works.

Do not forget to become a FAN of the McHenry County Division of Water Resources on Facebook!

McHenry County Sheriff's Office Update

Recent Phone Scams

Sheriff Keith Nygren would like to advise citizens of a recent phone scam that has been occurring in McHenry County. The recent scams have been targeting the senior community.

Residents have reported to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office that they have received a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandson. The unknown caller will state, in summary, that they went on a trip with friends and were arrested. They request that their grandparents wire them money to bail them out of jail. In some incidents the victims are asked to wire money to another country, and in other occurrences, they are asked to wire money within the United States...read more

Car Seat Check Events

Saturday, September 24 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Centegra Hospital in Woodstock

10 Questions to a Fair Assessment:

An Explanation of the Assessment Appeal Process in McHenry County

After you have received your 2011 assessment notice please use the commonly asked questions below to better understand your assessment.

1. What's my first step to determine if my assessment is accurate?

Make sure the information about your property is correct. The local assessor may also be able to show you other properties similar to yours in your neighborhood. You can determine if your property is equitably assessed. He or she may also have comparable sales information. If you have lived in your home for a long time you may not realize how much it is worth now.

2. I didn't agree with the assessor, what do I do now?

If you are unable to get your assessment satisfactorily resolved with the Assessors' Office, then get prepared. You only have 30 days from the publication date to file an appeal, so you need to start doing your research early. Go to the county web site at www.co.mchenry.il.us. Then go to departments, then to assessments, then to forms. Bring up the county appeal form and familiarize yourself with it. While there, look at the Board of Review Rules. You will also need to check out recent home sales by going to the county or township assessment office to view recent sales in your area. You might also want to talk to a realtor or appraiser.

3. How will I know what my new assessment is?

You will be receiving a letter in the mail later this summer or fall from the McHenry County Assessor's Office. This is your new official assessment notice and this is the second year the notice is in letter format that includes more assessment and property information. At the same time you receive your letter, all assessments are published in the local newspaper. That publication date marks the beginning of the 30-day appeal process for your township.

4. I'm filing an appeal. What now?

Don't miss the deadline. By state statute, your appeal cannot be accepted after the deadline. Determine if your appeal is to be based on equity or market value. Your home could be assessed at the correct market value, but if all the other similar homes on your street are assessed below market value, then you are over assessed because you are carrying a larger share of the tax burden. In an equity complaint, you must supply the assessments of comparable properties in your neighborhood. In a market value complaint, you must supply recent sales data to support the fact that your home may be over-assessed.

Remember, you need to use comparable properties. That means properties of similar size, story height, quality of construction and style. You must use the comparable property form to show the differences between the comparable properties and your home. Be sure to file this information with your complaint form. This is your "evidence" to prove that your assessment is incorrect. You want to provide the most convincing case that you can. This means that you also need to show where your information came from. Pictures of your comparables and your own home are very, very valuable evidence. After receipt of your appeal, in most instances, you will receive a Notice of Hearing.

In addition, the option to have your assessment appeal based on the evidence without a formal hearing is available by checking the box indicating no hearing required. In this case, you would submit your evidence to the Board of Review. The township assessor would then submit their evidence. The Board of Review would then review the evidence from both parties and base their decision on the weight of the evidence provided by both parties.

5. I purchased my home during this past year. Will the Board of Review consider that?

If you recently purchased your home and the Board of Review determines the sale to be an "arms length" transaction between unrelated parties, this may be considered good evidence. Short sales and foreclosures that are advertised on the open market may be "arms length." The Board of Review reserves the right to adjust all sales for market conditions/time and terms of the sale.

6. What happens at the hearing?

The hearing is somewhat informal. Present will be two or three Board of Review hearing officers, a clerk to handle the paper work, a representative from the township assessor's office, and you, the property owner. You may be represented by an attorney if you choose. You must include the Authorization to Represent form if you have someone represent you at the hearing.

The Board of Review will ask you about the evidence that you submitted to prove your assessment should be changed. If you go to the hearing and all you have to say is that your taxes are too high, the Board of Review will tell you that they have no jurisdiction over your tax bill. They can only discuss your assessment and the fair cash value of your property. After hearing your arguments and asking you questions about your evidence, then the Board will ask the township assessor to respond to your evidence and information and provide any additional information he or she may have.

7. When will I know the decision of the Board of Review?

In almost all cases, the Board of Review will make their decision at the conclusion of the hearing. The Board of Review does not issue official written decisions until all hearings have been held which is usually early March.

8. What if I'm still not happy?

Once you receive that written Final Notice of Findings, you will have 30 days from the date of the postmark to file with the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB). Those forms are available in the county office.

9. What can I expect if I do that?

You will be expected to provide evidence and proof of your contentions regarding your assessment. Determination of hearing date and all correspondence will originate from the state. However, PTAB hearings are held at the county office for the convenience of the taxpayer. The state sends a hearing officer to preside over the hearing, which is recorded. The hearing is a little more formal than the local hearing.

Again, you are allowed to present your case first. The Board of Review is there to explain their reasons for the assessment they placed on the property. The township assessor may be there to provide information and act as a witness for the Board of Review, if the Board made their decision based on information provided by the assessor. Remember, the appeal to PTAB is "de novo" which means all new. You can provide additional information that you may have neglected to provide at the county level. The Board of Review can also provide new information.

10. I don't think the Property Tax Appeal Board made the right decision. Is there anything more I can do?

Since you have exhausted all of your administrative remedies, you can now file a court action. Contact your attorney.