Welcome to our initial installment of the City's Referendum Review Blog. As you may have already heard, the upcoming March 17 primary election will include a referendum question regarding the funding and construction of a new Geneva police station.

So, how did we get here?

More than 1,370 community members collaborated on a plan over the last two years to address our City’s infrastructure needs. During surveys and meetings, residents made it clear their top priorities are replacing aging infrastructure and mechanicals and improving safety and security, specifically focusing on the police station.

Using their feedback, the Geneva City Council developed a community-driven plan to address these challenges by building a new police station on City-owned property on South Street, adjacent to the Public Works facility. It is important to note that moving the police station from its current location would not negatively impact officer response times, as patrol routes would remain the same.

This $59.4 million public safety plan will appear on our ballots for approval in the March 17 election. If approved, for a tax impact of $272 a year on the average Geneva household, the referendum will allow the City to:

• Increase Safety and Security for All Residents
• Support Our First Responders Who Protect Us
• Recruit and Retain the Best and Brightest in Our Police Department

Have Questions?

Come ask them in person at the City's upcoming referendum open houses on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 18 and 25.

Another option is to visit the City's referendum central section online. Residents can learn about the need for a new police station, view preliminary architectural renderings, use an estimated referendum tax impact calculator, review the facilities master plan, read FAQs, and access additional information.

In the coming weeks, this blog will dive into the various topics associated with the referendum and the need for a new police station. Subscribe to receive future entries using Notify Me. Thanks for reading.