Council reallocates metropolitan development funds, advances opioid-settlement grants and EMS design funding

The Evansville Common Council on Dec. 15 approved a set of finance ordinances that reallocated prior-year and restricted funds to maintain service continuity and advance infrastructure and public-health programs.

Colby Jackson (Department of Metropolitan Development) described a housekeeping item (Ordinance F2025-20) that consolidates an existing windows program into the owner-occupied rehab line and moves a pending food-pantry allocation from Bethany Apostolic to Tri State Food Bank so clients continue receiving services. Jackson said Tri State Food Bank has agreed to operate a mobile pantry at Bethany's site while contract requirements are finalized.

Controller Robert Gunter presented Ordinance F2025-21 (amended), which contains multiple internal transfers across departments and funds. Notable items include moving $240,000 of previously allocated casino/riverboat funds into the general fund for architectural and design costs to retrofit sleeping / locker-room arrangements at eight EMS/fire stations to house additional ambulances. Gunter said the city has used riverboat funds for these projects and remains within the approved allocation.

Council also approved allocations from the opioid settlement fund to a range of nonprofits providing recovery, reentry and supportive-housing services. Recipients who spoke in appreciation included Parenting Time Center, Forefront Therapy/Youth First, Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare (LITE transitional program), Evansville Recovery Alliance, and others. Council recorded votes: Ordinance F2025-20 adopted (6 ayes, 0 nays; two recused) and Ordinance F2025-21 amended adopted (7 ayes, 1 nay).