FREEPORT (WIFR) -- Two simple questions slated to be on November's ballot may send the City of Freeport to the Appellate Court and cost the tax payers more than $20,000. There's a chance it could all be avoided if the two sides just agree to talk.

"Oh I think a meeting of the minds, sit down and talk about this. See what's the best for the City of Freeport," says Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp.

"(If I said 'tomorrow let's go to city hall,' would you do that?) sure," responded Dave Fonda, a member of Freeport Citizens for Professional Government, or FCPG.

There you've heard it. The City of Freeport and FCPG are willing to talk to each other outside of the courtroom. It's the group's second attempt to change the city's form of government and the second time city leaders are arguing against it even though they agree on several points.

"I have no problem with the city manager form of government being put on the ballots. My concerns are the aldermanic format. If you're going to have seven aldermans at large you could have all the aldermen from one neighborhood controlling the city," says Gaulrapp.

"If the voters accept (the idea of a managerial form) and vote for that then let's move on to the implementation and I submit that really the representation should not change," says Fonda.

The city's corporation counsel, Sarah Griffin, tells Gaulrapp the form of government that could be voted on would not meet state statutes. Basically it's illegal. Fonda believes the vote would only approve the idea and city council would determine how it's put together. However both sides agree spending $25,000 of tax payer money to decide it in court is a bad move.

"We've reduced our services because we don't have the money. Now we're being forced to do something like this," says Gaulrapp who argues if an illegal form of government is voted through the city could be held liable for every action a police officer, fire fighter or first responder takes. If that is the case it could cost far more than $25,000 in the long run.

"The way we're going about this in the courts, in the Appellate Court system, is not the way to go," says Fonda.

If the group does choose to stop by city hall Gaulrapp says Griffin could provide limited help and at minimum guide them to appropriate resources.

The city would be arguing against a ruling already made in favor of the questions by Circuit Court Associate Judge David Jeffrey. According to Gaulrapp the $25,000 would come out of the corporation counsel's budget. He also says city council does not have to approve the expense and their meeting this Wednesday is just to keep them informed.

(Chip Brewster is available via email AND facebook... feel free to shoot him a message or friend him at any time)