$47,399 in signs seen as solution to confusion at Kane County HQ

Kane County officials think $47,399 worth of new signs will help people better find where they need to go at the Kane County Government Center in Geneva.

That way, people who need birth certificates won’t ask for them at the treasurer’s office, and people won’t try to enter the clerk’s building through the back door.

Treasurer David Rickert presented the resolution to the county board’s administration committee Thursday, which approved it after a few questions. The proposal, including photo-like images of what the signage will look like, is available in the committee’s agenda packet on the county website, countyofkane.org.

Committee member Deborah Allan wanted to know why the county should hire an outside firm, instead of having the transportation department make the signs. That department makes street signs.

Rickert cited a desire for “continuity.”

“We already have a hodgepodge of signs at the complex now and it only further aggravates citizens’ ability to find offices,” he said. He also described previous attempts at signage as “halfhearted.”

One problem that an ad hoc panel led by Rickert hopes to fix is a lack of identification of the government center for drivers driving from the south on Route 31.

The county does have a brick monument sign at its entrance at Batavia Avenue (Route 31) and Third Street, but due to the curve of the road it is more easily read by southbound drivers.

The proposal adds another monument-style sign farther south on the campus.

Committee member Douglas Scheflow suggested asking the state to put up one of its metal brown-and-white government-building street signs; Rickert noted there already is one, about a mile south near Fabyan Parkway.

Finding where to go once you are on the campus is a little tricky, as it contains several buildings. There is a sign with a map of the campus, but reading it while sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle is difficult due to its placement.

So people tend to drive up to the first large building they see, which is the one that houses the county board offices, the treasurer’s office and the auditor’s office.

The treasurer’s office, on the first floor, deals a lot with people looking for the clerk, the recorder of deeds or the supervisor of assessments, Rickert said. Those offices are in two other buildings.

Three firms bid on the project. The low bid, $31,492, was disqualified because the bidder did not supply required information about its subcontractor and because it wouldn’t supply support services during installation. Parvin-Clauss Sign Co. of Carol Stream, the next-lowest bidder, is being recommended.

The board’s finance committee will next review the proposal, in January.