How Will Geneva Raise $400,000 to Paint Its Water Towers?

"Geneva ... sponsored by Coke. It's the real thing."

OK, so maybe I'm about four decades off on the Coca-Cola slogan, but you get the picture. Here's our city name and logo proudly displayed on our two water towers. Here's the proud sponsor's logo underneath.

at Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting is that Geneva's water towers are due for a paint job. It's not cosmetic, Dinges said. The most important reason for painting the water towers is to prevent rust.

"That's the main purpose of it," Dinges told the City Council.

Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns joked about the possiblity of a sponsorship, but the ensuing conversation seemed to indicate that idea isn't so far-fetched.

Someone noted that the Kane County Cougars—located not all that far from Geneva's East Side water tower—have renamed their stadium . The suggestion was made to contact the Cougars and some other to see if there might be any interest in promoting their brand on two giant-economy-sized billboards.

Another option is for the city to pay for the water-tower painting via a 52-week fiscal-year fee. Under that scenario, Geneva water-users would pay an increased rate for one year while the water towers are being painted.

Dinges said the village of Carpentersville is using a rate hike to pay for painting and maintenance of its water towers. "That’s how they’re going about it," he said.