The Lake Geneva Municipal Minute

Submissions for our Featured Photo

Each installment of the Lake Geneva Municipal Minute prominently features a photo from a beautiful location or landmark in our stunning community. The LGMM would like to feature pictures snapped by residents or visitors as they travel throughout our wonderful city. All photographers and would be shutterbugs are encouraged to submit a favorite photo of Lake Geneva. It might be featured in an upcoming issue of the LGMM.

Please send any pictures to newsletter@cityoflakegeneva.gov.

Newsletter Launch

This is the third edition of the City of Lake Geneva's newsletter, the Lake Geneva Municipal Minute, which debuted in early July.

The newsletter is a brief, twice monthly look (for now) at what you should know about the community you love. Feel free to share the newsletter far and wide.

Click on the paperboy to the left to sign-up and please - encourage friends to also sign-up and stay informed.

Absentee Voting and August 11 Election

The August Partisan Primary election is set for Tuesday, August 11. The City's one polling place is City Hall, which is located at 626 Geneva Street.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can vote in person absentee prior to election day at City Hall from July 28-31 and August 3-77, weekdays only, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A valid photo ID is required.

For more information on the partisan primary, or to view a sample ballot, register to vote or request an absentee ballot, please go to the My Vote Wisconsin website at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/

July 3 Storm Update

On Friday, July 3 at approximately 12:18 PM the greater Lake Geneva area experienced a major storm that caused considerable damage. The greater Lake Geneva area endured power outages, damage to homes, property and trees and loss of life.

The communities of Walworth County appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation throughout the area as we continue our recovery. The communities of Walworth County, particularly those in the greater Lake Geneva area, are working with the county and Emergency Management Coordinators. Recovery efforts are winding down and nearing completion.

• Lake Geneva residents are asked to place any remaining yard debris from the storm at the curb by Sunday, August 2. The City’s Public Works Department will make one final pass through the city to collect storm debris starting Monday, August 3. Once the Public Works Department makes one more sweep through the City curbside collection of debris will cease. For curbside collection please stack downed limbs/yard waste parallel to the street in the right of way in front of your residence and City crews will pick up the material. Please note – the City will not go on private property, such as a resident’s backyard, to remove debris. After the Public Works Department makes its final sweep of the City residents will need to drop off any remaining storm debris at the Street Department at 1065 Carey Street. The facility is open from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

• Through July 31 City staff and contractors removed a total of 4,696 cubic yards of brush that was eventually burned and another 1,632 cubic yards of brush that was later chipped. The amount removed is equivalent to roughly 3,175 full loads in a standard pickup. If processed and spread as a 3-inch layer of mulch the amount removed would cover about 632,800 square feet, which is more than 14 football fields.

• At its July 27 meeting the Common Council lifted the disaster declaration. The declaration went into effect shortly after the storm hit and allowed the City flexibility to respond to damage from the storm. As staff and City partners moved through the City and cleaned and cleared debris it became evident the declaration would no longer be needed.

• Please access the City’s storm response website at https://www.cityoflakegeneva.gov/392/July-2026-Storm-Response for additional information. The site can also be accessed through the City’s homepage at https://www.cityoflakegeneva.gov.

New Camera in Town

The weather team at Channel 12 WISN recently it placed a weather camera atop the building at 703 W. Main St. The camera is now part of the station's WeatherWatch 12 camera network. The first floor of the building at 703 W. Main is host to a location of Milwaukee-based sandwich and soda fountain chain The Chocolate Factory. The restaurant opened on July 31.

Art in the Park - August 8 & 9

Culture takes over Lake Geneva August 8 & 9 with Art in the Park. More than 80 artists will be displaying their genius and hawking their wares in Flat Iron Park during the two-day festival, which is a highlight of Lake Geneva's summer calendar.

The festival is held by the Geneva Lakes Art Foundation. Courtesy of the Lake Geneva Police Department, here are details to know before heading downtown.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, August 8 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 9 in Flat Iron Park.

A free shuttle is available, which will pick up patrons at Home Depot, 550 N. Edwards Blvd., and drop off at Bella Vista Suites, 355 Wrigley Drive. The shuttle runs continuously approximately every 20 minutes during event hours. A map of the shuttle route is shown above.

To prepare for the event, Wrigley Drive between Broad Street and Center Street will close beginning at 5:00 AM on Friday, August 7. The roadway will remain closed through Venetian Fest and is expected to reopen by 10:00 AM on Monday, August 24.

With thousands of visitors expected downtown, using the shuttle is a great way to avoid traffic and parking hassles. More information can be found on the Art in the Park website.

Venetian Festival

The 64th Annual Lake Geneva Jaycees Venetian Festival will take place Aug. 19-23 at various locations throughout our wonderful City. Activities include a carnival, entertainment pavilion with numerous bands, an arts & craft show, a car & bike show, baggo tournament, water ski show and, of course, the Lighted Boat Parade and fireworks along the lakefront to close the celebration on Sunday, Aug. 23.

Wrigley Drive between Broad Street and Center Street will close beginning at 5:00 AM on Friday, August 7 for Art in the Park and stay closed through Venetian Fest. The road is scheduled to reopen by 10:00 AM on Monday, August 24.

More information is available at https://www.venetianfest.com/

Help Wanted - Lake Geneva PD

Are you looking for a police department that values your experience and invests in your future?

At the Lake Geneva Police Department you'll find a team-oriented culture, modern policing practices, strong community support and opportunities for professional growth. We especially encourage experienced officers to explore what a career in Lake Geneva might offer.

Please apply today at www.cityoflakegeneva.gov

August 2026 Meetings

Listed below are the meetings remaining for the month of July. Please check the municipal calendar on the city's website if you plan to attend a meeting to be certain nothing was moved or cancelled.

Meetings are held at City Hall, 626 Geneva Street, unless otherwise noted.

August 3 – 4 p.m. Personnel Committee

August 3 – 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole

August 6 – 4 p.m. Police and Fire Commission

August 6 – 6 p.m. Special Hillmoor Commission (rescheduled from July 9)

August 11 – 4 p.m. Historic Preservation Committee

           Conference Room 2C, City Hall

August 11 – 4 p.m. Tree Board

           Conference Room 2A, City Hall

August 11 – 6 p.m. Avian Committee

           Conference Room 2A, City Hall

August 13 – 6 p.m. Hillmoor Commission

August 17 – 4 p.m. Utility Commission

August 17 – 6 p.m. Plan Commission

August 18 – 4 p.m. Tourism Commission

August 18 – 6:30 p.m. Board of Park Commissioners

           Conference Room 2A, City Hall

August 19 – 6 p.m. Common Council (rescheduled due to August 11 election)       

August 20 – 5:30 p.m. Library Finance, Building & Grounds Committee

Smith Meeting Room, Lake Geneva Public Library

August 20 – 6 p.m. Library Board

Smith Meeting Room, Lake Geneva Public Library

August 24 – 4 p.m. Public Works Committee

August 24 – 4 p.m. Police and Fire Commission Budget Meeting

           Police Training Room, City Hall

August 24 – 6 p.m. Common Council

Fall Pickleball Registration

Lake Geneva Parks is back on the court this fall with two Pickleball Leagues — one for beginners and one for intermediate and above players.

Just picking up a paddle for the first time? Our Beginner League, starting Wednesday, August 19th, is the perfect low-pressure way to learn the game, meet fellow newbies, and get hooked on pickleball.

Already know your way around the kitchen line? Our Intermediate+ League, starting August 17th, brings the friendly competition up a notch, with sharper rallies and stronger matchups.

Whichever level you're at it's a great chance to compete, connect, and have some fun this fall. Grab a paddle and sign up today!

League Details:

        Start Date: Week of August 17th

        Time: 5:30 - 8:00 pm

        Format: 7-week league, with Week 7 as the League Tournament

        Resident Price: $36

        Non-Resident Price: $54

For more information and to sign-up please go to our registration site.

Hwy 50 Public Information Meeting

The City is preparing for the two years of construciton that will take place on Hwy 50 in 2027 and 2028.

The City and its partners at gmoxie, VISIT Lake Geneva and Downtown Lake Geneva are holding additional public information meetings in 2026. Each meeting will run from 6-7 p.m. and be held at Lake Geneva City Hall, 626 Geneva Street in Lake Geneva.

The next PIM is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, with another set for Wednesday Dec. 9 

All interested citizens are encouraged to attend. Please contact City Hall at (262) 248-3673 if any special accommodations are needed.

National Night Out Walworth County

Have you marked your calendar? National Night Out Walworth County is taking place from 4:30-8:30 p.m. August 4 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds in Elkhorn. Local police, fire, EMS, and more will come together for another great year. More information is available at National Night Out Walworth County.

Hillmoor Commission Newsletter

The Hillmoor Commission publishes a monthly newsletter. Anyone interested in the latest news on happenings at the site is encouraged to sign up and receive a monthly update in their Inbox by going to this link. More information on plans and developments at the site is available at the City's website.

Introducing

City Staff

David Winger is Lake Geneva's first Parks Director, and he started in his role last August. David holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from UW-Milwaukee and a graduate degree in Sustainable Management, a discipline that bridges environmental science and business administration, from UW-Parkside. David worked in the Shorewood School District's Recreation Department before coming to Lake Geneva. David believes great park systems connect people to their community, create opportunities for gathering and recreation, and must be managed with long-term sustainability in mind. Outside of work, David is an enthusiastic Packers fan and spends as much time as possible with his wife and two children.

Newsletter Nuts and Bolts

Please contact the City at newsletter@cityoflakegeneva.gov if there is a topic you want to see addressed in an upcoming issue of the newsletter. Starting Sept. 1 the newsletter will be released monthly on the first day of the month. Please click this link to sign-up for the newsletter if you received it from a friend and please feel to share this newsletter with a friend. On behalf of the City, thank you for helping launch this new initiative in communication with our beloved citizens.

Previous Newsletters

Recent editions of The Lake Geneva Municipal Minute are linked below.

The Lake Geneva Municipal Minute - July 1, 2026

The Lake Geneva Municipal Minute - July 15, 2026