Kevin Burns

Video

See recent video below of Kevin Burns talking about the issues.

• Kevin Burns

On the Record

What experiences do you have that make you a good candidate for office?

My twelve years of service as Mayor of Geneva and my four years as Alderman of the First Ward makes me uniquely qualified. I have a broad understanding of economic development, government finance, and pride myself on developing strong inter-agency relationships and inter-governmental collaboration and cooperation to solve problems and achieve success. During my tenure as Mayor, the City’s budget is balanced, tax rate has declined and economic development has expanded. I have also served on the City’s Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and the Geneva Library Board of Trustees. I am a forty-year resident of Geneva.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

My top three priorities are 1. To continue to operate the city in a balanced, responsible and rational manner. 2. Continue to expand economic development opportunities for independent, regional and national retail establishments as well as grow the city’s industrial base – during my tenure as Mayor Geneva’s retail/commercial base has expanded by 700,000 square feet and our industrial base by 500,00 square feet. 3. To work with elected and appointed officials at the local, state and national level to ensure that Geneva remains the premier place to live, learn, work, play and raise a family with emphasis on the redevelopment of the old Kane County Jail Site (Fabyan Road) and Settler’s Hill.

Would you support freezing your taxing district’s levy until housing prices rebound? Why or why not?

No. Failure to capture, at the very least, the value of new growth in the community (as we did this year by passing a .44 levy increase) would forever put the city behind the proverbial 8-ball in terms of revenue. The city’s levy represents a modest 8% of a Geneva resident’s annual tax bill. In addition, freezing the city’s levy would prevent the City Council from addressing opportunities that could benefit our citizens and business owners (i.e. public safety, improvements to infrastructure, development/redevelopment, matching grant opportunities from the state or federal government) and risk costing the city even more by deferring important projects. The better question is how best to manage the resources we have to carry out the expectations our citizens and business owners demand and expect. I’ve done exactly that for 12 consecutive years by developing balanced budgets and investing limited resources in immediate and long-term programs that serve our community. And, I look forward to continuing such stewardship.

What one decision by the city council do you most disagree with and why?

None. My job as Mayor is to facilitate discussion between the members of the City Council, community and staff. Once a decision is reached, I work with the Council, staff and community to carry out the decisions. While it is true that during the debate and discussion phase over policy matters differences of opinions are voiced (passionately) my responsibility is to advance the majority will of the Council.

What was the biggest accomplishment of the city council in the past year?

There have been many. Two accomplishments in particular, which will yield significant economic benefits as well as enhanced efficiencies is the beginning of the Kautz Road at Rout 38 bridge construction and the newly approved boundary agreement with our friends in West Chicago. Both accomplishments have been the subject of considerable debate and negotiations for years and the fact that the Kautz Road/Rt. 38 bridge project is underway and we have a clearer path for increased industrial development in Geneva’s Southeast Corridor is credit to the Council’s, staff’s and communities’ patience and perseverance.

Why should voters elect you to office?

Because voters have benefited from my service as Mayor since 2001 – lower tax rates, stabilized levy, enhanced economic growth, improved city services, greater transparency and second-to-none customer service are but of few of the achievements I’m most proud of. Moreover, the comfort and confidence in knowing that I have the best interest of the entire city at heart. I have delivered on virtually every pledge made and, by working with the Council, staff and community will continue to deliver results for our Geneva.