Evansville City approves contractor exam results; staff flag contractors under investigation

Evansville City officials approved minutes from the prior meeting and accepted a slate of contractor exam passing scores for multiple trades, then discussed current practice to hold permits for contractors under criminal or licensing investigations.

The meeting opened with a motion to approve last month’s minutes and a series of motions to accept exam results for candidates in roofing, residential construction, electrical, HVAC and sheet metal trades. The presiding member directed voice votes for each motion; each motion was seconded and passed by voice approval.

The votes accepted reported passing scores presented during the meeting, including: James Staub (residential contractor part 1: 90%; part 2: 78%); Richard Williams (residential contractor part 1 and part 2: 86% and 84%); Luster (commercial contractor part 1 and part 2: 70% and 78%); Ben Kunkel (fire sprinklers: 94%); Gracie Kauffman (electrical journeyman part 1 and part 2: 73% and 92%); Alan Milner (electrical journeyman part 1 and part 2: 70% and 80%); Connor Penn Pence (HVAC journeyman: 76%); Timothy (last name not specified in record; 76%); Cameron Wade (sheet metal journeyman: 82%); Kevin Smith (sheet metal journeyman: 80%); and Dustin Everson (HVAC journeyman: passing percentage not specified). Each candidate was approved “as presented” by voice vote.

After the approvals, members discussed contractors currently listed as pending or on hold because of ongoing investigations for alleged fraud, theft, late permit payments and poor workmanship. A member noted that contractors under active investigation or with convictions have their status changed so they cannot pull permits until staff receive further instructions from investigators. The presiding member summarized the practice: “We put all the contractors that are under investigation or hold status so they cannot pull permits until we receive further instructions.” The record indicates one individual has been convicted and is serving time; meeting participants observed that person was not licensed at the time of the conviction.

The meeting closed with a brief acknowledgement that some items on the hold list are repeats while others were newly flagged. Members made a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The record contains no roll-call tallies; motions were approved by unanimous voice votes recorded as “aye.” No new ordinances, statutes or contract awards were presented, and staff did not present a formal written policy change on the permit-hold procedure during this meeting.