The Evansville Common Council on Monday adopted Ordinance F 20 25-08, authorizing transfers and additional appropriations across multiple city funds after department presentations about specific needs and reimbursements.

Robert Gunter of the controller’s office and departmental representatives described the items in the ordinance, which covered several public-safety, engineering and transit expenses and reimbursements.

Deputy Chief Brown of the fire department explained the fire-related requests: the city collected $62,824.19 in the hazardous-materials cleanup fund and requested transferring that amount with $30,000 to other services and $32,824.19 into small tools and equipment. Brown said part of the balance will be used to purchase battery extrication tools and other equipment and to fund repairs and maintenance for aging apparatus. He also noted a $7,500 private grant and additional monthly collections that were being appropriated.

City Engineer Michael Lipsky described reimbursements returned to the city, including a $715,450.15 reimbursement from the Indiana Department of Transportation as its share of a Community Crossings matching grant. He also noted a separate reimbursement tied to the Walnut Phase 3 project under the local public assistance agreement.

Council discussed other items in the finance ordinance: METS (transit) requested moving salaries to “other services” to cover bus cleaning due to contractor vacancies; finance is paying for an annual arbitrage calculation related to 2022 parks bonds (an IRS requirement); and a large insurance settlement payment from reserves for a 2021 multi-vehicle accident involving a police vehicle will be paid from reserves as the city’s share.

Council members asked clarifying questions about timelines and budget effects. Controller Gunter said the transfers do not increase the overall budget allocations — departments are expected to remain within previously appropriated totals. City staff also noted several items will be paid from the $1.2 million payment the city received from a casino project late last year; those funds have been used on remediation and downtown improvements and have a remaining balance for other projects.

No public comments opposed the ordinance during the meeting. The clerk’s roll call recorded eight ayes and no nays, and ordinance F 20 25-08 amended was declared adopted.