As you may be aware, McHenry Township trustees have voted again to put the elimination of the McHenry Township Road District on the April 6 ballot, even after this issue was voted down by two thirds of the voters just three years ago.

What was the driving force for keeping the township road district separate from the township then and does it still apply today? Here are some of the reasons why the McHenry Township voters wanted to keep the road district which are still applicable today:

1. Many say the road district has very little oversight by the township and its trustees, but is this really true? This past year, the trustees reduced the road district budget for staffing by over $250,000. They additionally reduced the annual levy for the road district from $3 million to $2 million for 2021.

This is after the levy had been reduced or remained level for the past 10 years. Lastly, they voted to reduce the highway commissioner’s salary from over $85,000 to $45,000 and eliminate medical benefits. Seems like there is considerable oversight.

2. Some point out that eliminating the road district will eliminate the highway commissioner’s position. This is true, however, management of the road district still needs to occur. The township would need to hire a superintendent of roads and the salary would most likely be in the $100,000 range for a qualified candidate. Although the township may have additional oversight, most decisions would still be made by the superintendent.

3. Has this been done before in Illinois? Yes, in the Nov. 3 election, three road districts were eliminated.

Were those road districts comparable to McHenry Township Road District? No. Elk Grove Township Road District, for example, maintained 4 miles of road compared to McHenry Township Road District’s over 100 miles of road and an additional 20-plus miles of road maintained through intergovernmental agreements.

Were the eliminated road districts in more populated areas compared to McHenry Township? Yes.

So was it a good idea in Elk Grove Township? Probably. But does that same situation exist in McHenry Township? No.

4. Many believe that by eliminating the road district, the township would begin to operate like municipalities and county governments. Is that a good thing? Remember, with the road district format, money paid in taxes to maintain roads stays in the road district.

This eliminates shifting money to other more politically popular uses like beautification of downtown areas, expansion of parks or other similar projects. Which then leads to the question, how do township road district roads compare to roads of municipalities in the McHenry Township area?

5. Some have questioned if this is the first step in an effort to eliminate the township all together. Is the township the right layer of government to eliminate? Some 75% of the voters said no when asked the last time it was put to a vote within the last couple years. They believe township government is responsible, efficient and the most approachable form of government.

6. Lastly, will road district taxes be eliminated.? No, the roads still need to be maintained and that needs to be funded.

Choose wisely when considering this decision this April.

• Jim Condon, McHenry Township.