Geneva council adopts ‘Destination Geneva’ special-event grant program to fund local events

The Geneva City Council on May 19 approved a new Destination Geneva grant program intended to reimburse special events that “result in increased visits, overnight stays, and innovative experiences,” city officials said.

City Administrator Dawkins told the council the program is part of the Geneva 2030 strategic plan and is meant to use hotel operator tax revenue to support events that boost economic development and community identity. "The program will be reviewed annually during the budget process to assess the program's effectiveness," Dawkins said.

Councilmembers debated program scope and oversight before voting. Alderman Bowering praised staff work as a "thorough and thoughtful approach" and moved the measure; Alderman Paschke seconded. Alderman Kilberg asked whether final terms for a separate festival-support piece — which the council deferred for later discussion with the chamber — could change the special-event rules. Dawkins said the festival funding discussion could produce changes to that portion, but "tonight all you're looking at is a special event grant program." Alderman Reineke said the grants are intended both as seed funding and as support to grow existing events. The council approved the program and directed staff to administer it under the guidelines in the packet.

Under the policy presented, awards must meet eligibility and reporting requirements and the council will approve individual grant awards. Dawkins noted the program document authorizes the city administrator to make non-dollar administrative changes to the program; dollar amounts and specific grant agreements will return to the council for approval. Applicants will be required to provide post-event reports; Paschke asked staff to make reporting available to the council and Dawkins said the city will maintain a master list and provide final reports.

City staff said the program budget was discussed earlier in the Committee of the Whole: $76,000 total was identified, with $50,000 originally proposed for festival support and $26,000 earmarked for special-event grants. Dawkins and Director Tomoshenko said the city will meet with the Geneva Chamber before bringing back any festival-specific proposal.

The council adopted Resolution 2025-51 on a recorded vote of 11-0. The motion was made by Alderman Bowering and seconded by Alderman Paschke.

Looking ahead, staff will begin accepting applications under the special-event guidelines and will return individual grant agreements to the council for approval; the festival-support piece will be revisited after staff’s follow-up with the chamber.