Geneva residents have supported the City’s non-home rule sales tax referendum March 20, according to unofficial vote totals from the Kane County Clerk’s Office.

Voters were asked if the non-home rule sales tax rate in Geneva should be 1 percent, an increase of 0.5 percent. Starting July 1, Geneva’s overall sales tax rate will change from 7.5 to 8 percent, putting the City in line with its Tri-City neighbors.

The City went to referendum since the cost of providing core services – such as police, fire, and public works – has continued to rise while once dependable revenue streams have either fallen flat or have declined.
 
Sales tax is the City’s largest revenue source with a majority of this money generated by thousands of people who love visiting Geneva.

What does the sales tax increase translate to people’s future purchases in Geneva? For every $50 spent an extra $0.25 in non-home rule sales tax will be paid starting in July.

The Places For Eating Tax that the City Council adopted will not go into effect upon passage of this referendum. The Kane County Clerk’s Office will be certifying the vote totals in the coming weeks.

Thank you to all the voters who took time to educate themselves on the issues to help continue to keep Geneva as a premier community.