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Common Council approves $7 million interest-free loan to launch city-run EMS fleet
Summary
The Evansville Common Council approved an interest-free $7,000,000 interfund loan from the casino capital improvement fund to purchase 11 ambulances and related equipment and to start an Evansville Fire Department emergency medical services division, with the administration projecting full repayment in about 2½–3 years.
The Evansville Common Council on June 23 approved Resolution C 20 25-21, authorizing an interest-free loan of $7,000,000 from the casino capital improvement fund to the general fund to purchase ambulances, medical equipment and cover startup needs for a city-run emergency medical services division operated by the Evansville Fire Department.
The council took the action after the administration described the plan as a three-year loan to be repaid from ambulance-service revenues. “We are asking for the transfer of $7,000,000 from the casino capital improvement fund over to the fire department for the start up of the Evansville fire department EMS division,” the fire chief said, adding that the loan will be repaid “within 2 and a half to 3 years.”
The city said the funds will buy 11 ambulances, 11 cots, 11 power-load systems, 11 cardiac monitors and necessary medications and supplies. The department also told the council it plans to add about 47 staff positions and to contract with a third-party billing company for patient-billing services.
Why it matters: Council members and speakers framed the plan as a way to create a city-run emergency service that would prioritize patient care and reduce private profit-driven decisions in local ambulance service. Council members repeatedly asked about repayment and long-term operating costs; the administration said outside financial reviews and conservative billing projections support the repayment timeline.
Key details: The administration said Evansville averages roughly 24,000 EMS calls annually and that demographic trends (about 17% of residents are age 65 or older) make demand likely to grow. The fire chief said the city engaged outside consultants — Reedy Financial and a billing firm — and received revenue projections consistent with the department’s internal estimates. The city intends to use ambulance revenues to cover operating costs and to repay the loan before any net revenue is otherwise used.
Public response and council discussion: Several council members asked about staffing and whether the city could attract enough paramedics. The chief said recent hiring interest and a large applicant pool gave the department confidence about staffing. Members of the public and several speakers praised the move as putting patient care before profit; one longtime EMS professional said a publicly run service would prioritize citizens.
Formal action: The resolution was moved, seconded and approved on a roll call vote with 8 ayes and 0 nays. The motion was made by Councilwoman Mosby and seconded by Councilwoman Allen.
What’s next: With the loan approved, the administration will begin equipment procurement and staffing. The city said ambulance builds can take up to two years but that procurement conversations with manufacturers are already underway.
Ending: The council declared the resolution adopted after the roll call; the administration said it would return with implementation details as purchases and hiring proceed.
