John Farney Trading Seats

UPDATE: The News-Gazette has an brief article on this today as well:
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-11-13/champaign-county-auditor-appointed-fill-retiring-treasurer.html

The Republican Party made it official and here's their public announcement via e-mail:

URBANA – Precinct Committeemen from throughout Champaign County tonight selected John Farney, the current County Auditor, to serve as County Treasurer starting January 1, 2018. Farney will replace current County Treasurer, Dan Welch, who will retire December 31, 2017, after serving 44 years in county government, the last 19 as the elected Treasurer.

“It is humbling to receive the support and trust of these community leaders as their choice to be County Treasurer,” said Farney. “I look forward to the challenges that will be facing Champaign County, and will offer a steady hand to guide us through the coming months and years.” Farney, as County Auditor, is already well versed in the financial challenges facing county government and has been a leader in presenting factual, data driven, information about the County’s financial position.

“Over the last several years, John and I have worked closely on several issues important to the County,” said Treasurer Welch. “I have seen his commitment to County government and I have been impressed with his strong work ethic. After working in the Treasurer’s Office for nearly 45 years, I know what it takes to be a successful County Treasurer. John will be ready on day one, to step into the Treasurer’s office and get to work.”

John Farney is a native of Champaign County, spending his youth in Homer and Philo. A graduate of Unity High School, where he is a member of the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame, Farney holds degrees from Parkland College and Eastern Illinois University. He and his wife, Stephanie, live in rural Urbana with their son, Nathaniel.

Farney will fill the remainder of Welch’s term, through November 30, 2018. He is a declared candidate for election to a full term at the November 2018 General Election.

Republican Precinct Committeemen will be charged with selecting a successor for Farney as County Auditor at a meeting on December 4. Details for that appointment process will be released in the near future.

A full biography of Mr. Farney is attached.



JOHN FARNEY BIOGRAPHY

John Farney is a life-long resident of Champaign County. Raised in Homer and Philo, Farney is a graduate of Unity High School, Parkland Community College and Eastern Illinois University. John and his wife, Stephanie (Rosene), have one son, Nathaniel, and reside in rural Urbana.

John’s entire professional career has been dedicated to public service. As a community newspaper editor in Champaign County, John was tasked with keeping the public informed about their communities. Later, as an election official in the Champaign County Clerk’s Office, he worked tirelessly to ensure that elections were open, transparent and well run.

John was first elected as Champaign County Auditor in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. During his tenure he revamped the Auditor’s Office, authoring new reports, implemented current accounting principles, and enacted new programs designed to generate revenue for County Government. John has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and has received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting. These national awards are bestowed only on government officials who are committed to the highest standards in government and financial reporting. Champaign County is one of only three counties (of 102) in Illinois to have an official recognized for both of these achievements.

In addition to his statutory duties, John was an active participant in the County’s effort to become Illinois Green Business Certified. He is actively involved with the County’s Emergency Management Agency in disaster financial reporting. He also serves on the County’s Technology Oversight Committee and as a contract negotiator, representing General Unit elected officials in talks with AFSCME. John was elected President of the Illinois Association of County Auditors in 2016.

An Eagle Scout, John is involved in the Scouting movement at local and regional levels, serving as a Den Leader and as Committee Chair of Holy Cross Pack 9, and serving as Vice President for Administration of Prairielands Council. John is also Wood Badge trained, the premiere leadership training within Scouting.

In April, 2017, John was inducted into the Unity High School Alumni Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments post-high school.

He is also dedicated to his community and county, serving and being recognized in the following
capacities:

Vice President, Holy Cross School Parent Teacher Club
Parent Ambassador, Holy Cross School
Member, Unity High School Hall of Fame Committee
Past Member and Secretary, Board of Trustees, High School of St. Thomas More
Member, Board of Advisors, High School of St. Thomas More
2014 United Way ECC of the Year
2005 Illinois Education Association Region 9 Friend of Education