Riverside board reviews draft referendum language, timeline for April 2027 public‑safety facility vote

Village staff briefed trustees on a draft referendum question and schedule on April 16 as the village prepares for a possible April 2027 ballot measure to finance a new public‑safety facility.

Manager Francis summarized the facilities review process to date and noted an open house on May 19 at Station 1 to present design schemes and gather community feedback. Attorney Pickrell walked trustees through the legal timeline and key statutory deadlines: the board must adopt language acceptable for the county by January 15, 2027 to appear on the April ballot; that adoption triggers a series of certificate and notice steps governed by county procedures.

Pickrell cautioned that village staff and resources may provide factual information and education but may not use government time or materials to advocate for a yes or no position; individual trustees retain First Amendment rights to speak in a private capacity but should avoid using village resources. Bond and ballot language was discussed in detail; staff referred to a proposed maximum authorization in the high‑$20 million to low‑$30 million range (transcript references included $29,900,000 and a nearby reference to $29,000,000). Trustees requested cleaner phrasing for statutory bond language and clarification of statutory word order; Pickrell identified a typo in the draft that legal staff will correct.

No vote on referendum placement was taken; trustees were asked for direction on draft wording and staff will return with revised language, a communications plan limited to factual public education, and a calendar of statutory deadlines.