Another $100,000 for Fehr Graham: City Leadership’s Costly Dependency Continues
FREEPORT, IL – October 8, 2025
Once again, Mayor Jodi Miller and City Manager Rob Boyer have turned to their go-to outside firm, Fehr Graham, asking taxpayers to foot the bill—this time for an additional $100,000 under the 2025 Public Works Master Services Contract. The justification? The city’s original contract funds have already been burned through in just nine months.
Instead of employing in-house engineering department and a Public Works Director—positions that would offer stable, well-paying jobs to Freeport residents—this administration continues to outsource our infrastructure, grant management, and city planning to an outside company that treats Freeport like an account, not a community.
The Proposal: A “Busy Year” Excuse
City Manager Rob Boyer claims the city’s engineering needs—everything from water and sewer design to ADA compliance and IDOT coordination—require additional time and materials. Boyer’s justification:
“This year has been extremely busy due to the large amount of engineering work, grant submittals, and extensive permitting requirements.”
Translation: They ran out of money early, and instead of tightening oversight or seeking alternative bids, they’re simply cutting another check to Fehr Graham.
The additional $100,000 was presented on a time-and-materials basis, with no clear breakdown of projects or performance metrics—meaning taxpayers are once again writing a blank check.
Confusion in the Chambers
The discussion quickly spiraled into 20 minutes of confusion and frustration—a textbook case of poor communication from city leadership.
7th Ward Alderman Larry Sanders was the first to raise questions, pointing out the redundancy of approving more money under a contract already approved earlier this year.
He also questioned why Fehr Graham’s “additional services” came out to such a conveniently round number—$100,000.
But instead of clearly explaining the Master Services Agreement, City Manager Boyer rattled off a list of past projects—dodging the actual question. The city attorney stepped in but only added more legal jargon, failing to clarify that “Master Services” refers to a contract, not a separate company.
When confusion lingered, it wasn’t solely Alderman Sanders’ fault—it was the product of an administration that consistently fails to communicate. Whether one agrees with Sanders or not, he represents one-seventh of Freeport’s population—roughly 3,500 residents who deserve clarity, respect, and transparency.
Fehr Graham Speaks Out – And Says the Quiet Part Out Loud
Fehr Graham’s Darin Stykel took the floor and, in a revealing and dramatic moment, confirmed what many in the community have long suspected. He admitted that Fehr Graham originally wanted to ask for $450,000 up front, but City Manager Boyer suggested presenting $350,000 to council—knowing they’d return later for more. At the time, this could have been argued as a smart move. Mayor Miller was up for re-election and desperately trying to maintain her seat. $350,000 sounds much better than almost a half a million to voters who were already upset about the Miller 1% Tax Increase and record breaking pay increases for police officers.
Now, with funds depleted, Stykel informed council that Fehr Graham will not continue services unless they receive the extra $100,000. In other words, Freeport is held hostage by its own contractor.
Even more telling, Stykel referred to the taxpayers of Freeport as “clients”—not citizens or a community they serve, but customers paying a bill. It’s a distinction that speaks volumes: Fehr Graham doesn’t work for Freeport—they work from Freeport, billing us as they go.
The Bigger Picture: Outsourcing Over Opportunity
This isn’t just about one contract. It’s about a pattern of dependency and misplaced priorities:
The City Engineering Department was eliminated.
There is no Public Works Director on staff.
Hundreds of thousands are paid annually to Fehr Graham.
No in-house expertise is being developed.
No long-term savings or oversight is gained.
And here’s the kicker: Fehr Graham refuses to even invest in Freeport. They don’t own property here—they rent their downtown office from none other than former State Senator Brian Stewart. So every time Freeport taxpayers cut a check to Fehr Graham, a portion of that money eventually ends up in Stewart’s pocket.
Look around our city. Our roads are crumbling, our water systems are aging, our sidewalks are unsafe, and downtown infrastructure is deteriorating. We aren’t paying Fehr Graham to rebuild Freeport—we’re paying them to line the pockets of political insiders. This isn’t partnership—it’s profiteering.
The Vote
After nearly 20 minutes of confusion, Mayor Miller finally clarified that “Master Services” is a contract, not another company—something that should have been addressed at the start.
The Resolution R-2025-120 passed 7–1, with Alderman Larry Sanders casting the only dissenting vote.
Fighting4Freeport’s Take
This is not leadership—it’s management by dependency.
Year after year, Miller and Boyer prioritize outside consultants over local talent. They hand over the keys to Freeport’s infrastructure, planning, and compliance to a private firm whose only loyalty is to its bottom line.
Fehr Graham doesn’t answer to Freeport residents. They answer to their invoices.
And every time we sign another check, we deepen a cycle that outsources opportunity, inflates costs, and erodes local control.
Freeport deserves leadership that invests in its own people, not one that continuously enriches a firm with no stake in our future—beyond the next billable hour.
If our council can’t understand the contracts they’re voting on, how can we trust them to manage our city’s future?
Freeport taxpayers deserve better. They deserve leadership that invests in people, not just projects.
