Geneva council continues budget discussion; staff clarifies cemetery, EV, utility and street project costs

Geneva City Council continued discussion of its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and fiscal year 2028 projections at a special committee of the whole meeting that convened this evening. Council members pressed staff on a range of line items — including a cemetery columbarium, incentives for residential solar and public electric-vehicle charging, utility revenue projections, and the city’s share of a major street reconstruction — and staff answered with status updates and clarifications. No formal budget actions were taken at the special meeting; the chair said any motions would be considered at the council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The columbarium question arose when Alderson Kilberg asked whether a $60,000 line referenced in budget materials related to maintenance or a columbarium project. Assistant Director Landers said, "So the $60,000 line item was for the engineering services for the columbarium. We're at about 75% drawings right now," and staff confirmed the columbarium project is not included in the proposed FY2027 budget. Landers' statement clarified that the $60,000 was an engineering expenditure already passed rather than a new construction appropriation in the FY2027 proposal.

Council members raised renewable-energy and electric-vehicle priorities. Alderson Maliki said she did not see budget items that would "move the needle" on residential solar adoption and suggested a pilot rebate program to help residents take advantage of federal tax credits she said are expiring this year. Maliki also urged exploring grant opportunities or partnerships to expand public EV charging to serve visitors and residents. Alderson Bowring supported further review and asked to hear from relevant department heads about the feasibility of adding line items or pursuing grant funding for EV charging and solar incentives.

Staff described recent work the city undertook under the SolSmart and EV readiness programs. Department staff said the city amended permitting and zoning to list solar uses explicitly and that zoning and permitting clarity were key steps toward SolSmart recognition; staff also noted the city has added two EV vehicles to its fleet and is installing a charger to support fleet operations.

Council members questioned projections for water and electric revenues after reviewing budget pages showing declines. Alderson Reineke asked whether the changes reflect lower consumption; Director Milewski and Aaron Holton explained the projected declines on those budget pages largely reflect one-time funding mechanisms — such as loan and bond proceeds — dropping off the rolls, not a sustained fall in operational sales. Holton said year-over-year kilowatt-hour sales were beginning to increase after prior declines, and staff noted that scheduled rate increases effective May 1 would increase operational revenue from water, electric and sewer sales.

On capital projects, Alderson Marx asked how much of the large East State Street construction cost is grant-funded versus the city's out-of-pocket match. Staff said the figures shown in the budget represent the city's portion (matching funds and direct fees) and cited an approximate out-of-pocket figure of just over $9,000,000 for the coming year with additional millions in the following year, while noting actual expenditures could shift depending on construction schedules. For a related State Street pedestrian bridge, staff said the work began as a railing replacement with a city match near $800,000; a council-approved change in scope to widen the pedestrian path added about $1,000,000, and the project remains under review in Springfield pending final authorization.

Several council members used the public-comment/announcements portion of the meeting to invite constituents to local events and tours. The special committee adjourned after a motion to adjourn was made (Kosrog recorded as making the motion) and verbal assent from council members. The chair reiterated that substantive budget votes will occur at the regular council meeting scheduled for Feb. 17.

Provenance: This article draws on the council’s opening of budget discussion, staff presentations, and the subsequent Q&A and announcements during the special committee meeting recorded in the transcript.