Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lake Geneva public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
14 issues with high priority
Cemetery Stewardship Fund creation
Cemetery fees are going up — plots here cost hundreds while Chicago-area cemeteries charge tens of thousands. A cemetery stewardship fund (a more flexible perpetual care fund) goes to the cemetery board October 26.
Peller Property Land Use Map Amendment
The Peller family wants the city's future land use map changed so their Peller Road property — just outside city limits in the Town of Lyons — could someday become a mixed-use development. Town residents showed up worried about the change; the applicant's attorney says the tax impact on the town would be tiny. No final decision yet; a joint hearing with the Council is set for December 7.
Child Safety Zones Ordinance Update
The council is rewriting where registered offenders can live, weighing buffer distances (500, 750, 1,000 feet) against how much housing stays available — ranging from 33% to 78%. A decision is due October 26.
Changing City Attorney from elected to appointed position
The city is considering asking voters to make the city attorney an appointed job instead of an elected one. Draper says qualified candidates are scarce and he won't run again in 2028; critics say voters already settled this in a 2007 referendum and worry an appointed attorney would answer to the council instead of residents. A decision would need to reach the county clerk by late January to make the April ballot.
2027 Budgets and Capital Improvement Planning
The city's annual budget process has begun, which ultimately shapes property taxes and city services, including library funding.
Storm Damage and Veterans Park Playground
Members discussed making Veterans Park — a tournament destination — more inviting and better known, including possibly letting the city take a bigger role in field scheduling and pairing improvements with concessions.
Hillmoor property future use
Friends of Hillmoor are advancing native gardens, a solar-powered roll-top observatory with the high school and GLAS, a solar restroom, and disc golf relocation planning.
East Side Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Upsizing
Growth from Symphony Bay and planned commercial and residential development along the East Side Interceptor corridor has the sewer near capacity. A $248,000 design contract kicks off an eventual roughly $5 million upsizing project funded largely by impact fees.
Broad Street and Highway 120 construction
The approved plat identifies every property needing easements or purchase for the Highway 120 road project, letting acquisition work begin.
Highway 50 project
Administrator De Angelis reported Highway H phase 3 is pouring curb on George Street but slipped 30 days due to a utility conflict at the Swan Creek entrance; Highway 50 land acquisition is nearing completion.
Highway 50 construction update
Administrator De Angelis reported Highway H phase 3 is pouring curb on George Street but slipped 30 days due to a utility conflict at the Swan Creek entrance; Highway 50 land acquisition is nearing completion.
Amendments to Chapter 90 (Waterways) Municipal Code
A complete overhaul of the rules governing city slips, buoys and kayak racks — new waitlist structure, resident eligibility standards, annual recertification, spouse-only transfers, and a boat lift requirement starting 2030. Waitlist folks will need to recertify every year by February 1 starting in 2028 or lose their spot.
Future lakefront Capital Improvement Projects
The committee was to review the 2027 CIP list for lakefront projects, including one proposed new item. The city's CIP is now a five-year plan rather than three years.
State Highway 50 Connecting Highway Rescission
The state wants to take back a half-mile of Highway 50 and run the USH 12 ramp signals itself. The city loses a little connecting highway aid but saves far more on signal maintenance and accident response — staff called it clearly a win.