Kane County Reporter

After nearly three decades in public service, City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins is set to retire from her role with the City of Geneva on August 15. Dawkins has been a part of Geneva's government for 17 years, nine of which she spent as City Administrator. She plans to spend more time traveling with her husband.

Reflecting on her career, Dawkins stated, "It has been a deeply fulfilling experience to contribute to our shared mission of creating a place where people are excited to live, work and play." She expressed gratitude for her colleagues' support and collaboration throughout the years.

The search for a new City Administrator will commence this spring. The role involves supervising department heads, managing daily operations, and overseeing budget preparations for City Council approval.

Mayor Kevin Burns praised Dawkins for her contributions, saying she provided "unwavering professionalism" and helped guide Geneva towards financial stability and growth. Under her leadership, the City's bond rating improved to Aa1, and the equalized assessed valuation rose significantly since 2015. These achievements led to multiple accolades from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Dawkins was appointed as Geneva's City Administrator in 2016 after serving as Assistant City Administrator/Director of Administrative Services. Her tenure included roles such as Kane County Municipal Representative and Legislative Chair with the Metro West Council of Government. She also participated in various committees within the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA).

She taught courses at Northern Illinois University’s Master of Public Administration program and received several honors, including an honorary induction into Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society in 2022.

Before joining Geneva, Dawkins held positions in Shawnee County, Kansas; Brighton, Colorado; Broward County, Florida; and Merriam, Kansas. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law and a Master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Appalachian State University.