Council adopts resolution waiving sidewalk-café license fees to help downtown businesses

The Evansville Common Council unanimously adopted Resolution C2026-01 on Jan. 12, a recommendation to the city controller to waive sidewalk-café license fees for 2025 and/or 2026 for downtown businesses affected by construction.

Todd Robertson, executive director of the Department of Transportation, said the waiver was developed after conversations with the mayor and legal staff to give relief to businesses impacted by main-street construction and other downtown work. "We came up with this '' to try to bring some type of relief to downtown businesses who may be feeling the pinch and the effects of everything that's going on," Robertson said.

Robertson explained the mechanics: businesses that already paid 2025 fees would have those fees forgiven in 2026; businesses that did not pay 2025 would be forgiven for 2025 and required to pay in 2026 under the resolution's schedule. Council heard no public objection and adopted the resolution by roll-call vote (8 ayes, 0 nays).

Next steps: the resolution asks the city controller to implement the fee waivers; city staff indicated coordination with legal and finance offices would follow.