The City Council recommended approval of the proposed fiscal year 2011-2012 budget at their March 7 and March 14, 2011 Committee of the Whole meetings.  The budget will be presented at a public hearing, followed by a City Council meeting, on April 18, 2011 for formal approval.  The City's fiscal year begins on May 1, 2011 and the budget must be adopted no later than April 30, 2011 in accordance with state law. 

The City Council continues to respond to the current economic environment by reducing the General Fund another 10% in the proposed budget.  Last year, the City reduced General Fund expenditures by 1% and the year before that, by 20%.  The proposed budget for fiscal year 2011-12 includes holding the line on a reduced number of staff positions, fewer materials and supplies, and postponing the replacement of equipment, while committing to maintaining a superior level of customer service for our community.

The City's revenues have decreased over the past three (3) years while costs for goods and materials continue to rise.  To date, sales tax revenues remain flat, after a 15% decrease in FY2009-10, accounting for approximately 44% of the City's general operating fund next fiscal year.  Income taxes paid by Geneva residents, which are collected by the State, will account for approximately 9% of the general operating fund.  The General Fund supports fire, police, public works, and other core services.  State legislators are currently considering taking the City's distributive share of these funds away in order to balance its ailing budget.  As a result, these services could be in jeopardy without a funding replacement.  The Mayor and City Council have gone on record to state officials that the state's budget problems cannot be remedied on the backs of our citizens; particularly in light of the budget reductions that the City has made over the past three (3) years, as well as always meeting the statutory mandate to adopt a balanced budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year.

The City has historically been conservative in its expenditures.  Reductions have been made in every department over the past several years to offset normal and abnormal increases in operating expenses including insurance, fuel and other commodities, as well as unfunded state mandates.

As the City begins the new fiscal year on May 1, the Mayor, City Council and staff continue to take a "maintenance" approach to services, especially within the operating budgets.  It is anticipated that the City of Geneva (like all other cities) will face a funding gap in future years if the State of Illinois follows through on its threat to seize municipal funds (such as income taxes, sales taxes and motor fuel taxes) in order to subsidize its own budget deficit.  Potential future funding gaps will be addressed by a continued reduction of City expenditures.  The City has, and will continue to, implement spending reductions such as leaving positions unfilled, decreasing equipment and vehicle purchases, limiting or eliminating overtime, reducing fuel consumption, and adapting to the challenges ahead.  Capital projects may be limited only to those necessary to address the safety and welfare of the community.  We are committed to a balanced and fiscally sound budget that will provide high quality public services, while managing the challenges of current economic times.

As in the past, City staff will provide monthly financial updates to the City Council and the public at City Council meetings.  A copy of the proposed 2011-2012 budget is available at City Hall, the Geneva Library, and online at the City's website at

http://www.geneva.il.us/budget/ProposedFY2011-2012Budget.pdf.  Please contact City Administrator Mary McKittrick at mmckittrick@geneva.il.us with questions.

City of Geneva
Proposed Budget
FY2011-12:

General Fund: $14,655,725

Electric Fund: $32,464,975

Water/wastewater Fund: $8,513,380

Total Budget: $71,786,885

 General Fund Expenses: Decreased by 10%

Electric Fund Expenses:  Decreased by 3%

Water/wastewater Fund:  Increased by 0.3% 

Tax levy:  $6,333,349

Tax levy rate: $0.6005 per $100 of assessed valuation

City portion of homeowner's tax bill: Approximately 8% of the average tax bill

The City's 2011 commemorative ornament will be available for sale beginning Monday, May 2 at City Hall.  This year's ornament (2nd in a series) depicts Geneva City Hall, built in 1912 by the Wilson Brothers, well-known architects from that era.  The pewter ornament comes in a velvet drawstring case and will be $12.00 (tax included) while supplies last beginning Monday, May 2, 2011.Sorry, no "pre-orders" will be taken before May 2.

The ornament's front side depicts the James Street entrance to City Hall.  credit K. Kaulfuss

This year's street program has an estimated cost of approximately $1,500,000. The expected bid opening date is in April. A public hearing will be held after the bid opening for those living near or on the project. Construction is expected to begin near the end of May or first part of June. The roads to be resurfaced under this project are as follows:

Manchester Alley Reconstruction-Over the last several years, the city of Geneva has been replacing alleys with concrete pavement. This year the city will design and construct the next alley scheduled for replacement: the west half of Manchester Alley. This portion of the alley is estimated to cost $300,000 and runs along the southern edge of the Geneva East Subdivision from the middle of the subdivision to Geneva Drive.

Wheeler Park Water Main Extension

The city is designing a water main extension to run from Eklund through Wheeler Park to Route 31. This main will help loop the system allowing for better water quality and water pressure in the area along Route 31. The project is expected to be bid out for construction and built in the late Fall.

Parking Lot Construction

This year the city will reconstruct the Block 50 lot lying between James and West State and Third and Fourth streets. The city will also build a new parking lot in the block lying between Campbell and James and Third and Second. Both projects are expected to be constructed in the late summer/early Fall.

Elm Street Culvert Replacement

The city has plans to replace the culvert at the curve lying along 6^th and Elm streets. This project is expected to be constructed in late summer/early Fall.

Third Street Parking Garage Third Level

The city is currently working with Metra to construct a third level on the parking deck. A construction date has yet to be decided.

Illinois 38/Kautz Road Overpass

IDOT has plans to construct an overpass at the IL Rte. 38 and Kautz road intersection over the Union Pacific Railroad. The city is working with IDOT on the relocation of several of the city's utilities. Construction is expected to begin summer of 2011 but is subject to change.

Contact Pam Broviak, Asst. Dir. of Public Works/City Engineer at (630) 232-1501 with questions. 

Providing much-needed help to families or individuals in crisis is one of the most generous, selfless gestures you can offer to people in your community. In 2010, volunteers from the Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA) responded to 12 events in Geneva ranging from traffic control for public events, severe weather watches, complex traffic accidents, and structure fires.  "Our volunteers are on the front lines of the services provided to the residents and visitors of Geneva by assisting our police and fire departments as well as local community groups. Volunteers are the lifeblood of ESDA," stated Mayor Kevin Burns.  "ESDA is an integral part of our emergency response protocol. The volunteers are vital to our ability to assist the public during emergencies," said Chief of Police Steve Mexin. "We presently have about six active volunteers in Geneva. If we can recruit more from Geneva and the surrounding communities, we will improve response time and efficiency," stated Fire Chief Steve Olson.

To learn more about the organization and how you can contribute to your community call Fire Chief Steve Olson at (630) 232-2530.

For children ages 14 and under, the number-one health risk isn't drugs or disease: its injuries. Each year, unintentional injuries kill more than 5,000 kids and injure more than 6 million.  Every time a child is injured or killed by an unintentional injury, everyone suffers - the child, his or her family, classmates and friends, and the entire community. Sadly, the vast majority of these injuries are not random "accidents" - they are predictable and preventable. With education, motivation, and the support of caring adults, we believe that children can learn to be much safer.

Join the Geneva Fire and Police departments for our annual Risk Watch Summer Camp.  The program is for Geneva kids entering first grade.  The program consists of a 2 hour session using fun activities and lessons to teach the kids how to avoid preventable injuries.  The dates for the program are as follows:

Session #1:  July 11, 2011 - July 15, 2011 from 9:00am until 11:00am

Session #2:  July 11, 2011 - July 15^th, 2011 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm

Session #3:  July 18, 2011 - July 22, 2011 from 9:00am until 11:00am

* There is a $20 non-refundable deposit for the class.  If you would like more information, or would like to sign up for the program please feel free to contact Officer Frangella of the Geneva Police Department at (630) 232-4736.

CPR Classes at Geneva Fire Department

The Geneva Fire Department is pleased to announce their 2011 schedule for upcoming CPR certification and recertification classes.  

All classes begin promptly at 6:30 pm at Station #1, 200 Eastside Dr.

Heartsaver CPR/AED: For the average "layperson" with no medical background.  Class covers Adult, Child & Infant CPR and use of AED. 

Heartsaver CPR/AED: This type of CPR is for the medical professional.  Usually required by employer.  This group includes, Fire Department, Police Dispatchers, Nurses and Doctors

Upcoming Dates
 

Heartsaver Classes:  April 13*, April 27, June 8*, June 15

Heathcare Provider: May 18, May 25*, July 20, July 27*

*Recertification class

Are You Ready to Shake Out?

With more than 40 million people living and working in the central United States, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented disruption and devastation. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. With earthquakes an inevitable part of our future, we must act quickly to ensure that disasters do not become catastrophes.

200 years ago, three major earthquakes happened right here in our area! These quakes shook half the country and created Tennessee's largest natural lake! In 1811 there weren't many people or buildings here - the city of Memphis didn't even exist - but today a big quake would be much more dangerous. Learn more about being prepared by joining over a million people in the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut on April 28th* at 10:15am.

The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut later this month will involve more than one million people through a broad-based outreach program, partnership with media, and public advocacy by hundreds of partners. This event is being organized by the Central United States Earthquake Consortium http://www.cusec.org and the states of:  Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The 2011 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill will be held at 10:15 AM local time on April 28, 2011 (April 19 in Indiana).

To find out more, visit  www.ShakeOut.org/centralus.

What Should You Do If An Earthquake Occurs?

Drop, Cover, and Hold On! It is the safest action to take during ground shaking. There are 3 steps:

� DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)

� Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and

� HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

If there isn't a table or desk near you, drop to the ground and then if possible move to an inside corner of the building. Be in a crawling position to protect your vital organs and be ready to move if necessary, and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table-you are more likely to be injured if you try to move around during strong shaking.

These are general guidelines for most situations. Depending on where you are (in bed, driving, in a theater, etc.), you might take other actions. The main point is: Immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Do not move to another location. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; likely knocking you to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately! More information is available at

www.ShakeOut.org/centralus/dropcoverholdon.