Dave Kaptain: 2023 candidate for Elgin mayor
Bio
Town: Elgin
Age on Election Day: 75
Occupation: Retired chemist at Fox River Water Reclamation District
Previous offices held: Elgin mayor since 2011; Elgin City Council from 2005-11
Q&A
Q: What do you consider the primary responsibility of the community's "chairman of the board?"
A: The primary job of any mayor is to keep the residents of their community safe.
Q: What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it?
A: I believe the most serious challenge is maintaining a balance between Elgin's growth and the increasing budget obligations caused by unfunded mandates. We must provide for growth in a financially sustainable manner while providing funds to reduce the almost $500 million dollars needed for mandated pension obligations, sewer separation and lead service line replacements. The careful management of revenues and expenditures will provide the necessary flexibility in our budget to continue to grow, improve the quality of life of our residents and meet our obligations.
Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?
A: Elgin's AAA bond rating from Fitch and the AA+ from Standard & Poor's should say it all.
Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?
A: Elgin will need to continue to replace aging infrastructure including streets and bridges, increase the rate of lead service line replacement and provide funds to add additional employees to keep pace with our growth.
Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?
A: I prefer to look toward opportunities to create partnerships with other taxing bodies to share costs that can lead to improved benefits for both parties.
Q: What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?
A: The replacement of lead service lines must take priority. It affects the health and well-being of over 25% our community and the future development of the children in the affected areas. I believe the costs associated with replacement will be divided in some way to be determined between state and federal funds along with local funds. The removal of the Kimball Street dam does not have to be a priority.
Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?
A: My previous 12 years as mayor certainly give me the most experience in the position but my professional experience in water and wastewater make me the most qualified to lead Elgin through the lead service line replacement process and discussions on the Kimball Street dam.
Q: What's one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?
A: I have been in talks the past two years with the Salvation Army concerning the East Side Recreation Center. They are currently out of space at their building on Douglas Avenue and have explored options for expansion.
The ERC fits their needs at a reasonable cost and opens opportunities for potential reuse of the Douglas Avenue property. I recognize a local need for a regional disaster shelter that could provide short term accommodations for victims of flooding, tornadoes, fires etc. The Salvation Army could provide the required assistance at the ERC without an increased burden on local governments.