Jim Fahrenbach For Batavia 5th Ward Alderperson: Candidate Survey

BATAVIA, IL — Two candidates are looking to represent Batavia's 5th Ward as alderperson.

In the April 1 Consolidated Election, voters will be asked to choose between James "Jim" Fahrenbach and Garran DeWain Sparks for the open City Council seat.

The mayoral role as well as one alderperson seat in Wards 1, 2, 5 and 6 and two seats in Wards 3, 4 and 7 are up for grabs next month. All positions are four-year terms except one seat in Ward 3, 4 and 7, which are unexpired two-year terms.

RELATED: Batavia 2025 Consolidated Election: Who Filed For Mayor, Alderperson

Patch sent surveys to Batavia candidates ahead of the election. Responses will be published as they're received. Take a look at Fahrenbach's answers below:

Office sought: City Council

Campaign website: Our Batavia: Our Government

Town of residence: Batavia

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): No answer

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for. No.

Occupation: Director Specialist - Data and AI (25 years of overall career experience)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: N/A

The most pressing issues facing Batavia are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. Addressing Rising Property Taxes: Property taxes have increased significantly due to the recent surge in home values. A real solution requires improved coordination among local governing bodies regarding their respective property tax levies. If elected, I will prioritize a discussion of the "total tax bill" at City Council meetings, initiating collaborative conversations with the school board and park district. Affordable housing is essential, and it's difficult for residents to plan for the future when housing costs are a significant burden.

Revitalizing Downtown Development: We need to foster development in the central business district, filling vacant spaces with much-needed projects. This also includes attracting new businesses to Batavia and filling long-empty storefronts downtown. To achieve this, we will expand our outreach to developers and increase out-of-market advertising to attract new businesses while simultaneously promoting Main Street. Batavia has strong fundamentals, and we have a real opportunity to better promote our town to the broader business community.

Addressing Critical Infrastructure Needs: Batavia faces several long-standing infrastructure projects that require immediate attention. These include the necessary dam replacement, the pressing need for a second Fox River bridge, and improvements to problematic intersections and pedestrian crossings. If elected, I will prioritize these projects and address them systematically, one at a time, before moving on to other initiatives. This approach will prevent these issues from remaining unresolved for decades, ultimately becoming more costly and disruptive to our community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? As a long-term resident with a more robust, longer, and diverse professional background, along with more current community engagement, I'm better positioned to fill the role of 5th ward alderman.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. In Ward 5, focusing on additional housing options and residential rental regulations are key to promoting equity, inclusion, and economic fairness. Batavia's diverse housing stock and population, encompassing government-supported housing, senior living, and middle- and upper-class homes, create a unique and welcoming environment. I will work to support equitable and respectful housing that reflects this existing mix and will continue to engage directly with residents.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Professionally, I’m a director specialist in data and AI at Microsoft. My twelve-year career in corporate consulting prior to this role took me across the country and internationally, working with hundreds of clients in various industries.

This experience has given me a deep understanding of how different industries operate and what their needs are along with working with people from many walks of life and cultures.

Why should voters trust you? As a volunteer, I've built and managed a bipartisan local social media group for the past six years with nearly 1,500 local members, creating content and fostering discussion on local issues and politics. Previously, in 2018, I founded and led the successful campaign opposing the referendum to revoke home rule in Batavia.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? More downtown development, same property tax level as when my term started, aligned with inflation, and a resolution to the dam issue.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? Being wise with the taxpayer dollar, promote and prioritize a discussion of the "total tax bill" at City Council meetings, initiating collaborative conversations with the school board and park district. Affordable housing is essential, and it's difficult for residents to plan for the future when housing costs are a significant burden.

What are your thoughts on the crime rate in your community, and what more can be done to combat crime — especially violent crime — in town? Overall, Batavia is a very safe community. Traffic congestion is a growing concern in our community, and I will be a strong advocate for addressing this issue with my colleagues. Furthermore, I will continue to support the Batavia Police Department's community engagement efforts and advocate for increased focus on mental health resources to ensure a safe and healthy community for all.

What is your view of the city's approach to commercial and residential development? In Ward 5, focusing on additional housing options and residential rental regulations are key to promoting equity, inclusion, and economic fairness. Batavia's diverse housing stock and population, encompassing government-supported housing, senior living, and middle- and upper-class homes, create a unique and welcoming environment. I will work to support equitable and respectful housing that reflects this existing mix and will continue to engage directly with residents.

When it comes to development, what are some key areas for improvement or additions you feel are most wanted by residents? What will need to be done to make this happen? Revitalizing Downtown Development: We need to foster development in the central business district, filling vacant spaces with much-needed projects. This also includes attracting new businesses to Batavia and filling long-empty storefronts downtown. To achieve this, we will expand our outreach to developers and increase out-of-market advertising to attract new businesses while simultaneously promoting Main Street. Batavia has strong fundamentals, and we have a real opportunity to better promote our town to the broader business community.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? My wife and I are twenty-year residents of Batavia, married for nearly twenty years, and have two children who attend Batavia public schools.

Last, but not least, to help teach the importance of local government, we’ll engage the Batavia school district to create a day-long “mock city council” workshop. To be held twice a year in council chambers, once for eighth graders and once for juniors.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article stated Fahrenbach was running in Ward 7. He is a candidate in Ward 5. Patch apologizes for the error.