The City of Geneva is mourning the loss of our Electric Superintendent Mike Buffington, who died in a fatal car accident in Sugar Grove June 12.
City leaders and our Police Department have reached out to the Buffington family to provide any assistance during this time. The City also has provided grief counselors for City employees today to help cope with the news of Mike’s death.
“With the sudden and unexpected loss of our co-worker and friend Mike Buffington, our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” City Administrator Mary McKittrick said. “We are fortunate to have known and worked with him, and Geneva is a better place because of him. Mike was a gentle leader and one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. His loss will certainly be felt by our entire organization for a long time.”
Mike was driving a City vehicle heading home from a work-related trip around 9 p.m. June 12 when the two-car accident took place on Route 47 near the exit ramp from Interstate 88. The matter still is under investigation, and all questions should be directed to the Sugar Grove Police Department and the Kane County Coroner’s Office.
Mike was hired in 2004 as Geneva’s Electric Superintendent coming from Geneseo, Ill., located east of the Quad Cities. He served as project manager of the Geneva Generation Facility, which came online in 2006. The high-efficiency, natural gas generation plant saved the City money on transmission costs. Mike followed the market and bid hourly on our electric purchase to insure the lowest available prices were obtained. The Generation Facility is one component of Geneva’s diverse power portfolio, which Mike helped establish during his tenure here.
Mike also served as the president of the Northern Illinois Municipal Power Agency (NIMPA). He was described by those in Public Works Department as being friendly, and always willing to teach people about electricity. Mike was very conscientious about Geneva’s energy sources and power purchase agreements so his managers could maintain the City’s power infrastructure.
The Buffington Family has not announced any service details at this time.
The City is expecting to make a leadership announcement about the Public Works Electric Division next week.
The Geneva flag has been lowered to half-staff at all City facilities in honor of Mike Buffington. Our sincerest condolences go to his family and friends regarding his loss.