VANDERBURGH COUNTY — Vanderburgh County Council approved a $125,000 appropriation to support convention center operations, including roughly $100,000 for utilities and $25,000 for contractual services, after county officials said the facility’s management recently changed hands and is working to rebuild event volume.

The county’s request was described as a near‑term infusion to cover utility costs and pay for outside contractual needs while the new operator (referred to in the meeting as the venue’s "venue works" team) ramps up bookings. One staff presenter said the center’s utilities run about $87,000 a month and that the facility "may run out of gas before the end of the year" without additional funding; the packet and presentation recorded a total request of $125,000.

A county official who has monitored the venue transition said the difference in operations under the new manager was "night and day" and asked for patience while events and hotel room nights increase. "We've pulled all the stakeholders ... we had the commissioners, we had the support of Evansville hoteliers," the official said, asking the council to allow time for bookings to materialize and noting a hoped‑for reopening or operational shift in 2026.

Council members approved the appropriation by voice vote. The presenter said the contractual line item may return next month for additional appropriation depending on operating needs.

No performance conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes; council members asked for status updates and remarked positively on the new operations team’s initial work.