Council denies $175,000 ARPA-interest appropriation for city website

The Evansville Common Council on Feb. 24 voted 4-5 to deny an ordinance amendment that would have moved $175,000 of interest earned on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the general fund for a city website redesign.

City Controller Robert Gunter told the council the request would transfer $175,000 from ARPA interest to support a website update and noted the city invested ARPA funds in 2021 and has tracked interest that is not treated as part of the $64.5 million principal award. “We have earned a little over $4,000,000 total since 2021,” Gunter said, and said roughly $1,000,000 had already been approved for 2025 projects.

Council members and members of the public objected to using the interest for a website overhaul while household relief and infrastructure concerns remain. Councilwoman Missy Mosby and members of the public urged prioritizing weatherization, food assistance and road repairs, saying those address immediate household needs. Anne Yates, a resident, called the $175,000 figure excessive and questioned procurement and bidding plans. “$175,000 for a website,” Yates said. “Do you get bids from various people? Or is it just like giving the job out to your favorite person?”

Joe Atkinson, communications director in the mayor’s office, described intended website improvements: reorganized content, easier access to services such as reporting potholes and paying tickets, mobile-friendly design, and clearer pages for departments such as animal control. “This is really the front door of our community,” Atkinson said, arguing a modernized site helps recruitment and daily service access.

Mayor addressed the timing concerns and described the city’s approach to ARPA interest spending, saying 78% of interest spending to date has gone to “essential services” and emphasizing a federal grant writer hired with these funds had already attracted large grant opportunities. The mayor said about $1,000,000 of additional interest was proposed for 2025 items including blight removal and demolition and that the administration was open to holding funds if the council wished.

Controller Gunter explained retained ARPA funds remain because recipients of city-administered awards must spend funds and then seek reimbursement; he listed major commitments still outstanding and said the total ARPA account balance was about $21.0 million with $17.5 million already committed. “The rest is interest that we’re trying to move out,” he said.

After public comment and council debate about competing priorities and timing, Clerk called a roll vote. Council members recorded votes as follows: Trotman (Aye), Mosby (No), Hieronymus (Aye), Carruthers (No), Kayler Lindsey (No), Brinkmeyer (No), Allen (Aye), Johnson (No), Green (Aye). The clerk announced the ordinance was denied.

The denial preserves the status quo; council members and the administration indicated the interest funds remain available for future allocation and that the city must spend committed ARPA amounts by 2026 or return them to the federal government.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance F2025-01 (amended) — appropriation of $175,000 ARPA interest to general fund for website redesign — Vote 4–5 — denied.

The council continued with the agenda after the vote.