DeKalb council approves $48,500 for two entryway signs; proposal to permanently add ‘Home of the Barbs’ fails

The DeKalb City Council voted on May 26 to award a contract to Weaver Construction for two new city entryway signs at a total cost not to exceed $48,500.

City staff described decades‑old signs that had failed and the need for masonry, foundations and durable materials that would last decades. "We're trying to do something that's going to last for 20 years," the city manager said, summarizing the city's preference for stone and durable construction rather than metal signage.

Councilors discussed design options, including an upper‑corner interchangeable emblem (staff used "NIU" as a placeholder during the design discussion) and a 14‑foot base area that could later receive interchangeable plaques or seasonal banners. Mayor Barnes and several members emphasized keeping the core design clean, and staff said the design could accommodate swap‑out logos for recognitions such as Purple Heart City or Tree City USA.

Alderman Verbick (transcript spellings of the same council member vary in the record) moved to include permanent wording reading "Home of the Barbs" on the foundation of each sign; that motion failed on a roll call vote (a majority voted no). After the failed motion to add permanent wording, the council approved Resolution 2026‑057 to award the contract to Weaver Construction without the permanent inscription.

The city manager said the city can return to the council later to vote on any permanent inscription after the signs are built and designs or community input are reviewed. Staff recommended burying the base and finalizing landscaping and then considering any permanent additions to the base.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents with Weaver Construction, schedule foundation and construction work, and return to the council for any future design amendments if requested.