2013 Election Profile: Scott Finkenbinder

Note: Candidate Scott Finkenbinder will be relocating in June 2013 and will no longer be able to serve the Oswego Village board if elected. Read more about the situation in his candidate blog.

Address: 200 block of Catherine Court, Oswego

Campaign contact information: scottfinkenbinder@yahoo.com

Family: Wife - Louise - 37, Sons - Morgan - 6 and Mason - 3

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accounting Concentration, Cum Laude, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2000

Occupation: Owner, PLU Consulting Services LLC, Physical Education Instructor at Fry YMCA, Substitute Teachers Aide at Old Post Elementary

Why are you seeking office? I do not believe this current board has been good stewards of our tax dollars. The general fund expenses since 2008, removing capital outlays and one time expenditures, has increased 5%. Many peoples’ income has not increased this amount over the same period. I believe it is time to refocus government on its true responsibilities: public safety, infrastructure and taking care of those in need.

What set you apart from other candidates?

I am a certified public accountant with 10 years experience. I was controller of a residential real estate company, one that had over 230 employees and $60 million dollars plus in annual revenue. I am also an outsider, only living in this community since September 2010. I can bring a fresh set of eyes to the Board.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

Refocus Government on its core responsibilities. Government cannot be everything to everyone. Government ought to be run like a business, one that is efficient and cost conscious. One that is a good steward of our tax dollars.

What do you consider to be the main issues facing the Village of Oswego today?

In 2012, the Village received over $2.4 million from the state of Illinois, which was more that 16% of our general fund revenues. The state has $240 billion of unfunded liabilities. It is only a matter of time before this funding source disappears. The board does not have a contingency plan other than what they did in 2010 and raise taxes (Home Rule Sales tax). The 2014-2018 Financial Forecast report lists out the "Revenue Toolkit", which lists 78 different ways the Village can raise revenue.

Going forward, what can the Village do to help improve the state of current businesses and work to attract new ones? How responsible should the Village be in regards to helping new businesses get off the ground, so to speak?

Utilize sales and property tax rebates to encourage downtown development. By using sales/property tax rebates, you do not have upfront exposure for the tax payers. The businesses have to have a long term commitment to our Village in order to receive the benefits of the incentives. Also, the government should not be making large dollar loans with taxpayer funds. Lastly, I do not believe in utilizing a TIF(Tax Increment Financing).

The Village levied the same dollar amount in the 2012 tax levy as they did in 2011, resulting in a very low increase for Oswego homeowners. Yet homeowners say they are still being taxed too high: what suggestions do you have to help ease taxpayer burden on Oswego homeowners?

Property taxes are only part of the problem (approximately $1.45 million annually). Village residents are paying over $3.6 million dollars in "stealth taxes". Currently, village residents pay 3% on natural gas and electric consumption, 6% on telecommunications, and an additional .5% sales tax on purchases of goods (the Home Rule Sales tax). We need to refocus government on its true responsibilities (public safety, infrastructure and taking care of those in need), cut expenditures and start reducing these "stealth taxes".