Stephanie Dawkins Will Take Over As Geneva City Administrator
After serving as the city of Geneva’s assistant city administrator/director of administrative services for the past eight years, Stephanie Dawkins has been named Geneva’s next city administrator starting this spring.
The Geneva City Council on Monday (March 7, 2016) approved the appointment of Dawkins to replace City Administrator Mary McKittrick, who announced her retirement effective June 10.
“I am very appreciative to Mayor Kevin Burns and the City Council for appointing me as the next city administrator of Geneva,” Dawkins said. “I would also like to thank Administrator McKittrick, whose mentoring and guidance has made this transition a possibility. Serving the citizens of Geneva is an honor, and one that I will not take for granted. I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities in working with the mayor, City Council and city staff as we continue to achieve excellence in this great city that I am proud to call home.”
Joining Geneva in 2008 as assistant city administrator/director of administrative services, Dawkins is responsible for all operations in the Finance, Human Resources and Information Technologies divisions.
One of her many accomplishments includes the procurement, selection, conversion and implementation of the city’s New World Enterprise software. The system offers utility customers the ability to pay their bills and review their accounts online and provides information sharing among City departments, better record keeping and report writing.
Dawkins also is credited with enhancing the already successful Student Government program, which gives students a behind-the-scenes look at local government operations twice a year, by adding a Student Government Committee. Participating teens meet once a month as a group at City Hall to discuss real issues impacting Geneva.
Dawkins’ other achievements include:
- Creating an annual recognition program for outgoing volunteers who have served on the city’s appointed boards and commissions;
- Assisting the City to earn its first Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association;
- Helping overhaul and rewrite the Board of Fire and Police Commission’s rules and regulations to comply with changes in state statute; and
- Serving as chief negotiator for the city’s labor contracts.
“Ms. Dawkins has served the city of Geneva for eight years as a trusted and reliable ‘second-in-command,’ ” said Mayor Burns, who brought forward the appointment for the City Council’s consideration. “She has demonstrated that she is eminently qualified to assume the top administrative post. I am pleased the City Council feels the same and confident that the transition on June 13 will be seamless and successful.”
Dawkins brings 23 years of government experience to the position. Prior to joining Geneva, she served as assistant city administrator for the city of Merriam, KS; human resources officer for Broward County, FL.; director of human resources for the city of Brighton, CO; and human resources/labor relations officer for Shawnee County, KS.
Dawkins holds a Juris Doctor’s degree from Washburn University School of Law and a Masters of Arts Degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Appalachian State University. She was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1997.
SOURCE: city of Geneva news release
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About the City of Geneva, IL
Located 40 miles west of Chicago along the Fox River, Geneva is home to 21,495 residents and serves as the seat of Kane County government. Geneva’s character is found in its historic architecture, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mature landscapes and open space with more than 700 acres of park land. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a place to connect with others for shopping, dining or browsing art galleries. Home to excellent schools, library and parks, Geneva continues to be one of the premier cities in the Chicago area to live, work, play and raise a family. For the latest news, visit the city’s website at www.geneva.il.us.
