Advisory committee elects chair and vice chair, approves updated trust fund guidelines

The Evansville Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee elected a new chair and vice chair and approved updated committee guidelines at its Feb. 11 meeting.

With outgoing chair Mitchell stepping down because of work conflicts, committee members nominated and elected Dr. Henka as chair. "I would nominate Dr. Henka as the chairperson," a member said during the meeting; the nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee also elected Melissa Stinson as vice chair by motion and voice vote.

The committee then considered revised advisory committee guidelines prepared by a subcommittee. Staff said the changes removed language requiring City Council approval for some projects and narrowed eligible repair scopes (removing multiplexes from repair eligibility). A motion to approve the updated Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee guidelines passed by voice vote; the motion was made by Melissa Stinson and seconded by Dr. Metzger.

Members clarified the role of City Council and the appropriation process: staff explained that Council still approves appropriations at the summary level through a finance ordinance and readings but that the trust fund now has a separate account and the advisory committee will conduct approvals consistent with the appropriation steps.

Ending: The newly elected officers will serve until the committee—9s next organizational cycle and staff will publish the approved guidelines and circulate them to committee members.