Evansville Fire Department pension board removes three from payroll, reviews approximate 2026 funding estimate

The Evansville Fire Department Pension Board voted to remove three people from its pension payroll and approved prior meeting minutes during a brief meeting; board members also reviewed an approximate funding proposal for 2026 that included a 2.7% raise for 77 Police and Firefighter Fund members.

At the meeting, the presiding officer moved to approve the previous meeting minutes; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with members saying “aye.” The presiding officer then moved to remove widow Betty Scott from the pension payroll; that motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. Board members then moved and seconded motions to remove Herbert Sidner and Randy Harle from the pension payroll; those motions carried on voice votes with no recorded opposition.

Board members discussed an old-business item described by the presiding officer as a proposal for 2026 “turned in at approximately $4.6 million” that, according to the speaker, would include a 2.7% raise for the plan’s 77 Police and Firefighter Fund members. The dollar figure and other numeric details were presented verbally and described in the meeting as approximate; no formal vote adopting a 2026 budget or funding level was recorded in the transcript.

A board member asked about a state bill that had been reported to increase the contribution percentage; another speaker said the bill had been attached to other legislation but ultimately did not pass. The board did not take formal action tied to any change in state law during this meeting.

The board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. in Room 307 and adjourned shortly after the items above were completed.

Notes: All motions described above were taken by voice vote; the transcript records ayes and that motions carried but does not record a roll-call tally of yes, no or abstain votes.