Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read the latest edition of the McHenry County e-newsletter! I hope that you enjoyed a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

McHenry County had a lot to be thankful for last month, and we'd like to tell you more about it in this final e-newsletter of 2023.

The Sheriff's Office and our law enforcement community are thankful for the new Regional Training Center that will allow them to hone their skills right here in McHenry County. Our Sheriff's Office also is giving thanks for K9 Enzo, the newest member of the force. Keep reading to learn more.

We're also very thankful to have a smart, talented and dedicated Circuit Clerk like Kathy Keefe. Last month, the Illinois Association of County Officials named her County Official of the Year! We tell you more about the honor in this month's edition.

Last month, we honored McHenry County's veterans by participating in Operation Green Light to show our appreciation for their service and sacrifices, and to let them know that our Veterans Assistance Commission stands ready to help them access the benefits that they earned. As part of our observance, McHenry County teamed up with our local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts to hold a Veterans Day ceremony to honor our men and women in uniform. Read on to check it out.

On behalf of myself, my family and the County County Board, I hope you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a prosperous and healthy 2024.

Warmest regards,

Mike Buehler

Chairman

McHenry County Board

Welcome to the Sheriff's Office, K9 Enzo!

The McHenry County Sheriff's Office recently welcomed the newest member of the force - K9 Enzo!

On Nov. 17, Enzo and his new partner, Deputy Bodway, graduated from their 8-week police dog training program. Enzo, a German shepherd, is specially trained in obedience, searching and tracking, narcotics detection and handler protection.

Welcome to the Sheriff's Office, K9 Enzo - keep safe, and keep us safe.

Enzo joins K9 Deuce, K9 Jett and K9 Kylo on the Sheriff's Office K9 Unit. These four units patrol the county, assist in enforcement and provide backup to other deputies.

You can learn more about the sheriff's K9 officers by clicking here.

County, Sheriff's Office dedicate new training center in Cary

McHenry County's police officers and first responders now have a location in Cary to train!

The Sheriff's Office, along with County government, Cary village officials and other law enforcement agencies officially dedicated the new Regional Training Center at a Nov. 8 ceremony.

The facility, formerly the old Cary Village Hall, includes classrooms, conference rooms and other training space. Previously, McHenry County police officers had to travel elsewhere for training, which disrupted shift schedules and resulted in added costs to departments. This new facility will not only allow McHenry County law enforcement to train locally, but also to host training events with departments from other counties to encourage collaboration and teamwork.

You can read more, and see more pictures from the event, by clicking here.

County, veteran orgs team up to hold Veterans Day ceremony

McHenry County's veterans came out in force Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial at the entrance to our County Administration Building.

The weather could not have cooperated more for the event, which featured guest speakers, an honor guard, and strong representation from Woodstock V.F.W., Post 5040, McHenry VFW Post 4600, American Legion Post 412 and American Legion Post 491. Also attending were state Representatives Suzanne Ness and Steve Reick.

No small amount of gratitude is owed to County Board members Lou Ness and Carl Kamienski, both of whom served in the Army, for organizing the event, as well as to the Veterans Assistance Commission and Superintendent Mike Iwanicki for setting up a table to help attending veterans learn more about their benefits.

Circuit Clerk Kathy Keefe named County Official of the Year

County Board approves balanced 2024 budget

The County Board voted at its Nov. 21 meeting to approve a balanced 2024 budget and responsible levy.

You can review the budget by clicking here. County government accounts for just under 8% of a property owner's tax bill.

The $246.8 million budget and the $73.8 million levy were both approved at the meeting after a 30-day public review period. The 2024 fiscal year for McHenry County begins Dec. 1.

Next year’s levy includes a modest 1.95% increase based on the Consumer Price Index, plus $825,000 in new growth, which is exempt from the tax cap law; the increase based on the CPI is less than half of the 5% that local taxing bodies are allowed under the tax cap. Besides inflation, county government faces new and expensive unfunded state mandates, such as the SAFE-T Act and Pre-Trial Fairness Act.

DISTRICT 1

Matt Kunkle

Theresa Meshes

DISTRICT 4

Joseph Gottemoller

Mike Shorten

DISTRICT 7

Brian Sager

Louisett Ness

DISTRICT 2

Gloria Van Hof

John Reinert

DISTRICT 5

Kelli Wegener

Terri Greeno

DISTRICT 8

Larry Smith

Tracie Von Bergen

DISTRICT 3

Carolyn Campbell

Eric Hendricks

DISTRICT 6

Pamela Althoff

Carl Kamienski

DISTRICT 9

Michael Skala

Jim Kearns