Geneva to go to voters with $59.4 million ask for new police station, public safety

Geneva City Council members have agreed to ask voters for permission to borrow $59.4 million to pay for a new police station and other needs at the two firehouses.

On Monday, the council voted unanimously during a special meeting to put the question on the March 17 primary ballot.

Property taxpayers will be able to see how much the proposed bond issue would cost them by using a new addition to the city’s website — an estimated tax impact calculator, City Administrator Alex Voigt said during a brief presentation.

If voters approve the request, the owner of a home valued at $500,000 — the median in the city — would see a property tax increase of just under $400 a year, according to the calculation.

Second Ward Alderperson Bradley Kosirog said he wants citizens to understand the money would be used for more than a police station.

“I’m trying to clarify that this is not a $59 million build necessarily,” Kosirog said. “I want to make sure that citizens are on the same page, that this is a public safety referendum, not necessarily the cost of the police station.”

Voigt said city officials will make it clear during community engagement.

“The police facility being front-facing is because that is what the community chose out of the projects listed in the Facilities Master Plan,” Vogt said.

The Facilities Master Plan details how the city can address its aging buildings.

Alderpersons also voted 9-1 in favor of the resolution for community-wide comprehensive education and discussion on the merits of home rule. Third Ward Alderperson Larry Furnish cast the lone no vote.

“The resolution before the city council this evening represents the county’s commitment to continuing the process of exploring home rule with the involvement of the community,” Voigt said. “The process of engagement as it’s measured will determine next steps, if any, for future ballot initiatives regarding home rule.”

After comprehensive educational efforts, the council would ask voters to approve home rule status no later than the general election in November 2028, according to the resolution.

Home rule grants municipalities more authority to govern themselves and exercise certain powers related to their local affairs, including taxation, regulation and governance.

Municipalities become home rule either by population — 25,000 — or by voter approval. With fewer than 22,000 people, Geneva would need voter approval.