See results from commissioner races

After the first general election since the completion of the county’s largest building project, the county board will have a new look moving forward.

Jerry Reinartz defeated 16-year commissioner David Hillier in District 3 and Tony Bennett defeated incumbent Dick Lang in District 4.

County Coordinator Craig Oscarson may have described the county’s two newly elected commissioners best last week: “They would probably be a little bit more conservative,” he said of Bennett and Reinartz.

“My plan going forward is to try and limit expenditures going further up as much as I can,” Bennett said.

Bennett said he made very few promises in his campaign, other than to promote his stance on keeping taxes from increasing and promoting small government.

“I’m not somebody with a big agenda, my goal is to just be very frugal with the taxpayers dollars,” he said.

Reinartz also said he didn’t focus on making big promises, but he instead focused on closing what he sees as a growing gap between taxpayers and government officials.

“I was running because I thought maybe it was time for change in that office,” he said.

“My main push was to keep the budget in line,” Reinartz said.

Even with the restrictions of mandates, Reinartz said the county could use funds designated for projects in the general fund to keep taxes down.

“They have to make tough decisions when times are tough,” Reinartz said. “We can’t raise taxes.

“We have to make some tough decisions rather than just increase our budget 4.5 percent,” he added, referring to the county’s proposed levy increase.

Health and Human Services

Coming off the county’s largest building project at about $30 million, Reinartz and Bennett said many of the voters expressed concern about the cost of the project.

However, neither was sure how big a role it played

Bennett and Reinartz could shift the board’s views about the future for the officers. Both are in favor of postponing a decision on the future of the offices until the state releases more information about the potential regionalization of the offices.

If regionalization isn’t in the cards, Bennett said he’d be in favor of remodeling as long as the cost is similar to that of the current lease at Oak Park Mall. Until then, Bennett said he’d push for keeping the offices in the mall.

Similarly, Reinartz said a remodel needs to wait until a decision is made on any potential regionalization.

“It would be imprudent to spend anything until we find out what they’re going to do,” Reinartz said.

If regionalization does not become a reality, Reinartz said he would not support a new building.

“I’m totally against building a new building,” he said, especially when there’s adequate space left in the previous location.

Reinartz also questioned the estimates of a potential remodel of the government center, reported at more the $4 million. Reinartz, who has experience in appraisals, said that figure seems extremely high.

Reinartz said Hillier called to congratulate him, and Hillier said he’d help Reinartz make the transition into the new role.

Jail

While Reinartz and Bennett said they were unsure how big a role the jail a justice center project played in the election, they acknowledged it was an issue that voters discussed.

Bennett said the jail was often on voters’ minds when he campaigned, and he said he would look to avoid another large building project.

Reinartz said many voters expressed displeasure in feeling they had to pay for project they believed they had no voice in.

Recorder

Chief Deputy Recorder Jill Cordes defeated Brad McBeain to win her the county recorder position.

Cordes, who has been second in command under Recorder Sue Davis for almost a dozen years, said making the shift to electronic records will be a key focus of her office in the next four years.

Currently, there are no electronic records in the office, and the county will need to catch up with many other counties using electronic records.

She also said she’ll need to hire new staff to fill vacant roles in the office.