Trust fund tables one repair, approves two ACE contracts and three preapprovals; adds tax-proof requirement

The Evansville City Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee on Aug. 12 tabled a $42,000 repair application for 1411 Judson Street and approved two other home-repair contracts delivered by ACE, while preapproving a subsequent round of inspections and repairs.

During discussion of 1411 Judson Street, staff reported the owner has not kept property taxes current since taking ownership in March 2023. Committee members identified roughly $553 in unpaid taxes and expressed concern about investing funds in a property that may be headed to sheriff sale. The committee voted to table the Judson application and asked staff to request documentation that the taxes will be brought current before the item returns; if the owner does not provide proof by the next meeting, the application will be rejected, staff said.

The committee approved the ACE contract for 1424 South Governor Street after members reviewed the scope, which includes siding repairs, replacement of an air-conditioning unit and several door and window repairs. The Governor project was presented as approximately $19,700 and would be structured as a loan for any portion above the fund’s usual $25,000 grant threshold; staff said owners who receive loans are typically offered 10-year, 0% repayment terms.

Committee members also approved an ACE contract for a Dresden Street property to replace vinyl windows, a storm-door replacement and gutters. During that discussion staff acknowledged the committee had not received an itemized bid package for the Dresden job in the agenda packet; members requested full, itemized contractor bids in future packets before final approvals.

Committee members discussed contractor bidding patterns. Staff said ACE, Rhinelander and Titan are frequent bidders, and a new bidder, Reach Out Evansville / NV Real Estate, recently submitted higher bids. A committee member suggested adding Upright Construction to the list of contractors invited to bid.

The committee also preapproved the next round of home-repair inspections and potential contracts for properties on Powell, Polster and Morton streets; staff said those preapprovals allow inspectors to visit and collect bids, with final contract awards to return to the committee for formal approval. The committee confirmed it would continue offering the established repayment plan for loans where repairs exceed $25,000.

The committee directed staff to add a requirement to future applications that applicants provide evidence of current property taxes and homeowners insurance as part of the supporting documents checklist.

Votes at a glance: the committee voted to table the 1411 Judson application (motion to table passed; second recorded for the motion), approved the 1424 South Governor Street project (motion by Ruth Mesker, second by Melissa Stinson) and approved the Dresden project; the committee also preapproved three properties for inspection and bidding.