Council approves finance ordinance funding new city ambulance service, transfers from casino fund

The Evansville Common Council on Sept. 8 adopted an amended finance ordinance (F-2025-10) authorizing transfers and appropriations across multiple city funds, including a $5.5 million interfund transfer from the casino fund to buy ambulances and startup equipment for a new city-operated emergency medical services program. The ordinance passed by roll call, 6-1.

The ordinance bundles multiple budget moves and one-time appropriations. The council and city staff described key items that will be funded if the ordinance takes effect: an allocation to purchase 11 ambulances and related equipment (cots, stair chairs, power-load systems and Lifepak 35 cardiac monitors), startup supplies and ambulance outfitting; $125,000 from an opioid unrestricted fund for training and related police uses; reimbursement and appropriations tied to a Community Crossroads grant ($1.3 million reported as a reimbursement); a $1.8 million interfund transfer to police to complete a bond-bank loan for approximately 21 police vehicles; and various smaller transfers for animal control, HAZMAT cleanup reimbursements, cloud software invoicing and other departmental needs.

Fire Chief Tony Knight, who led the presentation, said the $5.5 million request covers 11 ambulances and the high-ticket equipment needed to outfit them. He told councilors the vehicles would be housed in leased storage facilities pending final deployment and would be assigned across fire houses by call volume. On billing, the city plans to use a third-party billing agency to generate insurer claims from patient-care reports. “We bill our rate and then receive negotiated payments from payers such as Medicare and Medicaid,” Knight said, explaining that collection rates vary by payer and that unpaid differences are accounted for in the budget as anticipated shortfalls.

Robert Gunter of the Controller’s office said if the council approves the full $5.5 million request and revenue collections track as modeled, the city’s note could be repaid in roughly 4½ years. He said officials are also negotiating a possible lease arrangement for ambulances that would reduce the city’s borrowing and speed repayment. Gunter said $5.5 million would be paid initially from casino funds; as billing revenue flows in, collections will be applied to the outstanding note.

Council members pressed staff on several implementation risks: how quickly collections would materialize (some payers reimburse in 30 days, others in 180 days), whether the city attempted to renegotiate its contract with AMR (officials said the AMR county contract remains in force through June 30, 2026, and was not renegotiated because it was not time to do so), and whether the city has adequate maintenance and storage capacity for the new fleet (staff said garage capacity is adequate and that leased, climate-controlled storage sites are being discussed).

Public commenter Lee Turpin, identifying a local address, urged the council to pause and study the plan, arguing municipal EMS systems nationwide often require large public subsidies and that private providers such as AMR have managed transports for decades. “Municipal EMS systems require millions in subsidies or tax increases,” Turpin said, urging caution and more study.

Councilwoman Kaler Lindsey said she voted no and cited ongoing funding uncertainties and concern about adding long-term positions at a time of revenue uncertainty. Other councilors said they had reviewed the plan and supported the chief’s proposal as a long-term investment in public safety and a potential revenue source for the city.

The ordinance also includes smaller appropriations and transfers: authority to use $125,000 from the opioid unrestricted fund (the city indicated about $500,000 remains in that account), a small animal-control appropriation for vaccinations and supplies and use of ARPA interest earnings to fund three animal-control positions for the remainder of 2025. City staff described temporary boarding arrangements and kennel repairs to reduce euthanasia driven by lack of space. A previously unbudgeted cloud-software invoice of about $111,000 was flagged and may be covered from available funds if transfers permit.

Councilors set next steps including posting budget details and continuing discussions during upcoming budget hearings. The council declared the ordinance adopted after a roll call showing six ayes and one nay.