Geneva City Council adopts FY2026 budget after failed bid to remove lobbyist funding

The City of Geneva City Council on the evening approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, a resolution that covers all 37 city funds, after an amendment to remove funding for the city's lobbyist was defeated.

Chief Budget Officer Dawkins told the council the preliminary budget "has been available on the city's website since January 9" and that it includes the full set of funds and documentation presented at earlier meetings. The council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-12, approving the FY2026 budget as presented.

The budget vote followed extended discussion focused on a proposed amendment by Alderman Swanson to “strip” the $55,000 lobbyist line item from next year's budget. "I would like to propose stripping that out," Swanson said, arguing the city should "tighten our belts" ahead of potential future referendum questions. Swanson added, "I believe it's in the next year's budget for $55,000."

Dawkins responded with a funding clarification: "The lobbyist comes out of, it's actually split between the general fund and depending upon if they're working on electric legislation then it's paid out of the electric fund," she said, explaining how the city charges the account based on the lobbyist's scope of work.

Other council members opposed the amendment. The mayor and several aldermen said the lobbyist's work has returned funding and protected the city's interests at the state level. One council member cited $2,000,000 secured for the East State Street corridor reconstruction as an example of outcomes the city has pursued through legislative engagement. Alderman Bowering and others argued the lobbyist provides targeted representation for Geneva beyond regional consortiums.

The amendment to remove the lobbyist funding was defeated by a roll call vote, 2 ayes and 8 nays. The council then moved to the main motion to adopt the FY2026 budget; the resolution was approved and the budget adopted by the council.

Discussion points during the budget deliberations included: the public notice process for the preliminary budget, prior special meetings and committee discussions on budget items, and requests by some council members for more regular updates from the lobbyist so elected officials and residents can assess value and transparency. Alderman Kilberg and Alderman Ruby specifically asked that the lobbyist provide at least one in-person update or written summaries so the council can better evaluate the contract.

The council also heard a brief clarifying point that some referendum-related consultant costs had been paid from ARPA funds; Dawkins distinguished that the referendum consultant expenses and the ongoing lobbyist retainer were funded from different accounts.

With the vote, the council adopted the FY2026 budget as presented and concluded discussion on the item. The city clerk recorded the roll calls for the amendment and for the main motion.