James Fahrenbach: 2025 candidate for Batavia City Council Ward 5

Bio

Office Sought: Batavia City Council Ward 5

City: Batavia

Age: 50

Occupation: Senior data and AI specialist

Previous offices held: None

What is the most serious issue your community will face in the coming years and how should the city council respond to it?

The rapid rise in home values over the past five years has led to a corresponding surge in property taxes, creating a shortage of both entry-level homes and affordable rentals. Local governing bodies must improve coordination regarding tax adjustments, considering the “total household tax burden” and striving to keep it within reasonable limits for Batavia families.

To further address this issue, two key initiatives are needed: First, require set-asides for affordable housing within new developments, targeting buyers earning the median wage in Batavia. Second, actively promote residential development on vacant downtown lots. These strategies will help ensure a steady influx of new residents and families, contributing to Batavia’s continued vibrancy and relevance.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Batavia’s financial picture presents both challenges and opportunities. While we’ve drawn significantly from our reserves and carry a substantial bond burden due to the wastewater facility and Prairie State Energy Campus obligations, the rise in home values and resulting property tax increases suggest a solid underlying financial foundation.

Looking ahead, we face critical investment needs. These include addressing the deteriorating Fox River dam (including its potential removal and/or replacement) and proactively revitalizing our downtown to attract developers and stimulate economic growth.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Batavia’s most pressing infrastructure need is addressing the crumbling dam on the Fox River. This project, which must also preserve the depot pond, should be prioritized and pursued in partnership with the Batavia Park District to minimize bond issuance.

While the absence of a second downtown bridge is a growing concern, it can be deferred for the time being, given the community's current familiarity with the existing traffic patterns.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

My 25+ year career includes over a decade in corporate consulting, where I've collaborated with hundreds of clients across diverse industries. This experience has taught me the paramount importance of active listening in group settings, along with the need for fact-based discussions and consensus-building before progressing. I'm committed to working respectfully and diligently with my fellow council members to ensure consistent progress and the timely resolution of issues.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My wife and I have proudly called Batavia home for the past 20 years. We began our Batavia journey in a 1918 American Foursquare, nestled in one of the city's original neighborhoods, and since then, we've had the pleasure of rehabilitating three homes here.

We are blessed with two wonderful children who attend Batavia’s public schools. My wife has dedicated the past 27 years to teaching middle school in a nearby suburb.

My recent community involvement includes working on local referendums and contributing to a popular local government-focused social media group.

Professionally, I’m a senior data and AI specialist at Microsoft. Prior to this, my career in corporate consulting involved extensive national and international travel, working with hundreds of clients across diverse industries. This experience has provided me with a deep understanding of various industry operations and needs, as well as the ability to effectively collaborate with people from all walks of life and cultures.

This combination of long-term community ties, extensive and diverse professional experience, and consistent civic engagement makes me a strong candidate for Fifth Ward Alderperson.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

In today’s politically polarized climate, civic engagement and an understanding of local government’s importance have diminished. To address this, I propose partnering with the Batavia school district to create daylong “mock city council” workshops.

These workshops would be held twice a year in the council chambers, once for eighth-graders and once for juniors. The goal is to expose students to the policy-making process, offering a perspective on government grounded in civil discourse and established procedures, rather than the often-polarized rhetoric of social media.