During referendum open houses and Police Station tours, the City has received comments from the public regarding the cost of the proposed Geneva police facility.

While the City is turning to voters for a public safety referendum of $59.4 million during the March 17 primary election, that number is not the project's "budget," per se. The referendum amount is the maximum, not to exceed number based on estimates from July, plus fees associated with the bond issuance.

To place a question on the ballot, the City had to determine a not to exceed amount for the project, which includes construction costs, site work, soft costs, contingencies, and bond issuance costs. The actual budget will be determined as different pieces of the project are bid out during a transparent, competitive process that allows the City to select vendors based on their best proposals.

If you missed it, our Let's Talk Geneva Podcast - Episode 3 highlights this process as our Strategic Plan Advisory Committee host sat down with the City's construction experts. We recommend you give it a listen.

The Geneva City Council, along with City staff, will review bid proposals with the goal of controlling costs. The City will not use the full amount of the referendum if it is not needed.

More Information

The City's website serves as referendum central. Residents can learn about the need for a new police station, view preliminary architectural renderings, use an estimated referendum tax impact calculator, review the facilities master plan, read FAQs, and access additional information.

Registration remains open for Police Station tours for residents who want to see the condition of the building at 20 Police Plaza. A virtual tour is also available for those who cannot attend in person.

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