The City of Geneva will not be proceeding with a referendum question to improve its public safety facilities after the City Council voted Jan. 22 to rescind the measure from the 2025 Consolidated Election ballot.

After conducting a facilities community engagement process for several months, which included surveys and community meetings, the City Council voted Jan. 13 to proceed to referendum asking voters to issue general obligation bonds to fund the construction of a new Police Station and Fire Station No. 2. During the engagement process, the City used a formula to compute the potential property tax impact of the referendum had voters supported the initiative.

Following the Jan. 13 meeting, the City discovered a calculation error in the formula that compromised the survey data gathered during the facilities engagement process. The actual impact for the property tax payment would be double what was originally projected and exceeded what residents may have been willing to invest, according to survey data.

After considerable discussion Jan. 21, the City Council determined to rescind the referendum measure. The City notified the Kane County Clerk’s Office in writing of the decision Jan. 22, and the question will no longer appear on the ballot.

The City will continue to engage community stakeholders and examine options to address facility needs for the future.