Margaret "Maggie" Auger: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: AlgonquinWebsite: maggieauger.comOffice sought: Kane County board District 23 Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, Husband Ray Auger Two adult married childrenOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Juris Doctorate, Northern Illinois University Bachelors of Science, Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Dundee Township Republican Organization Kane County Bar Association Willow Creek VolunteerElected offices held: Kane County Board District 23Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election for the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what?I am running for re-election to continue to serve the people of Kane County. I will continue to support the northernmost part of the county with transportation improvements and economic development. In 2013, KDOT estimated that approximately 298 jobs were created or sustained with the Longmeadow Parkway project. I will continue to work with the Forest Preserve district to develop the Brunner Farm Forest Preserve with trail amenities for the pubic to enjoy. I was honored to represent the Forest Preserve District at the Grant award ceremony where we received a $400,000 matching grant for Brunner Family Forest Preserve.Regarding the budget, how long can/should the county board and forest district maintain overall flat property tax levies? Will the budget outlook permit the county to continue to hire the best possible staff members and offer the services taxpayers want and need?I voted for a flat property tax levy the past three years for the County Board budget and I will vote for a 2015 flat tax levy. In 2013, greater than budgeted revenues and less than budgeted expenditures resulted in excess revenue of over 9 million dollars. If we continue to see increased sales tax revenues, income tax revenues, and US Marshall revenue for federal detainees we will be able to maintain a flat property tax levy and hire the best possible staff. Last year we allocated one million dollars to a Property Tax Freeze Protection Fund for this purpose.Both the Kane County Coroner and Kane County Diagnostics agency have indicated they need new or improved spaces. What would be your approach to determine if and when those agencies need a different space? How would you pay for the construction or renovations?Both the Coroner facility and the Diagnostics facility need to be on the 5 year capital improvement plan. These two requests need to be prioritized against the other projects. They need to be incorporated into the Judicial Center Campus Master Plan and included in the proposed build out. In 2014, we allocated over 3 million dollars to the Capital fund from the excess 2013 revenues. Other options for funding may include refinancing current bonds to a lower rate. We need to look at short term needs as well as long term objectives.Which, if any, of the proposed redevelopment plans for the Settler's Hill campus do you support? Why or why not?I support the redevelopment concept plan for Settlers Hill campus approved in 2012. It is a concept plan of potential amenities. The various elements of the plan will need to be reviewed and evaluated for engineering, economic impact and environmental impacts as well as meet the needs of the community. We are partnering with Waste Management for environmental care and maintenance of the former landfill. Kane County Forest Preserve District has had a policy of keeping approximately 90% of the overall Forest Preserve land as passive and approximately 10% of the Forest Preserve land as active.What will be your criteria for rating the success of the county's animal control agency and its new leader?The new Animal Control Administrator is well qualified and has experience in managing an animal shelter in Chicago along with a degree in veterinary medicine. My criteria for success would include: 1) Maintaining a high level of volunteers to assist with handling of the animal and clerical assistance. This could be achieved by partnering with the community groups, like high school students. 2) Increases in the revenue from the animal tags. 3) Increased adoption efforts through community events, like at the Kane County Fair or at a Kane County Cougars game.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My top priority is to support the development of the Longmeadow Parkway transportation project. It has been an envisioned improvement in the north end of the county for decades. There is unprecedented support for the project by 12 local governing bodies, Kane and McHenry County. Funded by several sources including the Federal government has allowed us to complete Phase I engineering and begin Phase II engineering. We have a commitment from the Illinois Department of Transportation for $40 million. We have a commitment of $5 million from the Council of Mayors, impact fees, and a toll authorized by State Statute.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Melinda Gates, Co-chair of the Bill Melinda Gates Foundation is a businesswomen, mother and dedicated to helping people lead healthy productive lives.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The biggest lesson I learned growing up is the importance of family. My family has always been my first priority.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If I had a do over, I would have taken the opportunity to have done a travel abroad program in college.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was math. Learning math taught me to think analytically and make financially smart decisions.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Both my children got married this year and I advised them to make their marriages and family a first priority.