Homer Township Highway Commissioner Candidate: Brent Porfilio

HOMER GLEN, IL — Brent Porfilio is one of two candidates running for Homer Township Highway Commissioner. Porfilio is a civil engineer, and serves as a plan commissioner for the City of Lockport.

Porfilio recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name:

Brent Porfilio

Age (as of Election Day):

54

Town/City of Residence:

Lockport/Homer Township

Office Sought:

Township board (highway commissioner)

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race):

Republican

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and licensed as a Professional Engineer in Illinois.

Occupation:

31 years

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Lockport Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Homer Township Precinct Committeeman, Vice President of Illinois Chapter of National Society of Professional Engineers, President of Chicago Chapter of Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, Willow Walk HOA Board, Wesmere Lakes HOA Board

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The two most pressing issues facing the HT Road District are:

1.) The understanding and managing of the new HT RD moving forward as the current long serving HT Highway Commissioner will be gone, and the HT RD assets may be changing depending on whether the new Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) goes into affect.

2.) Reducing the HT RD tax levy while still providing top notch services managing the HT RD.
The IGA recently signed between Homer Glen and the HT Highway Commissioner, is currently being challenged in court and it is unknown at this time whether it will be enacted. As such there are 2 scenarios to look at:

1.A.) If the HT lawsuit is successful, the IGA will be null and void and the current HT RD and assets will remain. As the HT RD has been managed by the same Highway Commissioner for a very long time, there will be a need for a complete audit and analysis of current staff, equipment and facilities, as well as the previous annual budget. I will be doing a life cycle cost analysis for all equipment & vehicles, evaluating skill sets and wages for all staff, and inspecting facility conditions of all buildings. In addition, I will be doing a complete evaluation of all 130 + roadway miles and assets to develop an annual maintenance program moving forward.

1.B.) If the HT law suit against the IGA fails, the RD assets paid for by HT taxpayers, including the HT Highway Department building, equipment and vehicles, will be given away for nothing to Homer Glen creating their Public Works Dept. for free on the backs of HT taxpayers. Under this scenario, the majority of the HT RD staff will no longer be needed as the remaining amount of roadway ROW to maintain would only be ~18 miles vs the current ~130+ miles. With a reduced amount of assets to maintain, I will conduct an audit and evaluation of equipment, building and staff needs moving forward, a new annual budget will be set and presented to the HT Board for approval - prior to levying the new, much lower, HT RD Tax.

2.) With respect to taxes, the new HT RD tax levy will be lower than in previous years, whether or not the IGA is enacted. There will be efficiencies added, along with staff training, better management of resources, all vendor services will be bid out to a pre-qualified list, and there will be a roadway and asset management plan drafted and implemented.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

The mission of BLM, and how they carry out their mission, are not relevant to this position. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that the Southland Black Chamber of Commerce, consisting of over 200 local businesses, has endorsed our entire HT Republican slate.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

The staff for the HT RD will be those which are the most qualified for the job. Diversity for a larger HT RD staff, if the IGA is eliminated, is more easily obtained with 20+ employees than if the IGA is enacted and there is a need for only 2-3 employees whom likely already work for the HT RD staff. Diversity, in my opinion, as I work for a minority [owned] engineering company, has many advantages over companies which are not.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

The CDC, along with local legislators, sets precedents on guidelines for COVID protocol. These should be followed, in terms of social distancing and mask wearing, as mandated - whether indoors or out. The interpretation of these guidelines differs from municipality to municipality, County to county, and state to state - which is a problem. CDC guidelines should be based on constant research and testing, and adopted as needed as such. The selective limiting of non-essential businesses and dining is not acceptable - all businesses and restaurants should be treated exactly the same.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

The federal government is managing vaccinations in concert with states, which are distributing it via coordination with counties and municipalities. Vaccines can be provided to anyone who feels the need for one and wants one. However, mandating vaccinations is not feasible due to the wide range of side effects that have been reported thus far since vaccinations began, and due to the truncated vaccine development and trial testing process prior to acceptance. The staff of the HT RD will be monitored for COVID as required, and CDC guidelines followed as applicable.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The responsibilities, leadership abilities, and required skills for a Township Highway Commissioner all fall under the skill sets of a Civil Highway Engineer, as well as successful Project Manager. I have experience and served as both of these individuals for the past 31 years of my professional career. The management and leadership skills required for this position is what I do every day at my job as a Professional Engineer for 31 years. I have won numerous awards for my skills as a Project Manager on a Project level, as well as individual awards as a Civil Highway Engineer.

The assets of the HT RD include elements which I have been managing, improving, and working on for my entire career including roadway, drainage systems, culverts, open ditches, lighting, landscaping and trees, etc. The equipment and vehicles of the HT RD, including leasing them, buying them, maintaining them and determining which models and types to use for specific tasks is what I have been doing for my entire career. The building/s of the HT RD, including inspections, keeping them in proper condition, and enhancing them to meet the needs of the HT RD is another item what I have been doing for my entire career.

Another critical skill set required is Public Relations, understanding contracts, and having the ability to be able to properly communicate with HT RD staff, HT residents and businesses, as well as HG, Lockport and all other municipalities which are within the HT boundaries. My leadership and public relations skills are formidable and have been sharpened over my 31-year career as a Professional Engineer with all levels of clients and government, public and private., as well as with formulating and negotiating agreements and contracts up to $100 million+ in value.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency):

The current HT Highway Commissioner is not on the ballot. There are many shortcomings which came with his "rinse and repeat" style of doing business, extremely high tax levy rates, processing of no-bid contracts, and not doing annual evaluations of assets, staff and equipment or setting annual maintenance programs. That will all change under me if elected.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My campaign platform also includes the concept of term limits, and maintaining positive relationships with the HT Board.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My list of accomplishments which provide evidence that I can handle this job includes my resume as a Professional Civil Engineer and Project Manager. This includes:

-31 years as a Professional Civil Engineer in Illinois
-Awards as a Project Manager and Civil Engineer on numerous roadway and facility projects
-Leadership positions on numerous elected and appointed Boards
-Project management and engineering experience from over 200 successful roadway projects
-Managing a professional staff for 31 years
-Contracts with numerous government agencies for managing and improving of their roadway and related facility assets - including buildings, equipment and vehicles

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

The two main accomplishments I am striving for are first and foremost to lower the HT RD tax levy, and secondly to set up an annual budget and maintenance program which can be followed moving forward where staff expectations, equipment and vehicles, and HT RD assets are easily understood and which all fall under an HT RD Asset Management Program.

Why should voters trust you?

Trust in any individual needs to be earned over time. Trust in me can be derived from my extensive, relevant experience for this important job and the success I have had on all levels with the management of staff, equipment and highway related assets.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Moving forward, fiscal policies of the HT RD will be based on sound, professional practice and as mandated by the HT Board and Will County. The annual budgets will result from extensive audits and evaluations of current services which will be required, and the staff, equipment, vehicles and facilities necessary to carry out those services. The annual budgets will need to be balanced, and on an annual basis the new budgets need to be based on the previous year's actual revenue and expenses, as well as adjustments needed for additional services, equipment and staff raises. The HT tax levy will be lower in the first year I am in office, and future tax levys will be based on an annual budget and Maintenance Program.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

My father always told me that everyone in life makes mistakes, and getting up and moving forward and learning from these mistakes is what makes us a better person. He also told me to never ever give up, no matter how hard life gets, and if you don't have anything nice to say, hesitate in saying it. I grew up in a strict Catholic, Italian home and follow those values with my family as well as my career.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

In closing, I would be honored to get your vote for HT Highway Commissioner, and look forward to helping get the HT RD back on track, as well as helping all HT taxpayers, residents, the HT Board, and all inclusive municipalities to have a successful future working together moving forward.

Patch has spoken to Porfilio in past coverage about a controversial Facebook post and comments he has made, including in regard to the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6:

• 'I Was A Peaceful Observer': Candidate Talks Capitol Riot
• Candidates Explain 'Hanging' Facebook Post Comments