Public Safety Facilities Referendum Question Taken Off Geneva Ballot

GENEVA, IL — Geneva City Council decided Tuesday night to remove the referendum to improve the city's public safety facilities from the April 25 Consolidated Election ballot.

Alderpersons voted on Jan. 13 to proceed with the referendum asking voters to issue general obligation bonds to fund the construction of a new police station and Fire Station No. 2. A week later, they changed their minds and rescinded the measure.

The city first decided to ask the question after conducting a facilities community engagement process for several months, which included surveys and community meetings. During the engagement process, staff used a formula to compute the potential property tax impact of the referendum had voters supported the initiative.

RELATED: Community Feedback Wanted For Future Of Geneva Infrastructure

Following the Jan. 13 meeting, staff discovered a calculation error in the formula, finding that the actual impact for the property tax payment would be double what was originally projected, therefore exceeding what residents may have been willing to invest, according to a news release.

The Council voted Tuesday to remove the measure and notified the Kane County Clerk's Office of the decision on Wednesday.

City officials will continue to engage community stakeholders to assess options to address the facility needs in the future, according to the release.