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Evansville council adopts 2025 budget after close vote to reassign council assistant funds to animal control
Summary
The Evansville Common Council approved the 2025 budget (Ordinance F-2024-13 amended) after a contested amendment that removed funding for a proposed full‑time council assistant and reverted the money to the general fund; council proponents redirected the funds toward animal control services. The final budget passed and the amendment carried 5–4.
The Evansville Common Council on Oct. 28 adopted the city’s 2025 operating budget after a contentious amendment that removed a proposed full‑time council assistant from the plan and returned that line item to the general fund.
The council voted to accept city‑council amendment No. 1 to Ordinance F‑2024‑13, a motion sponsored by Councilwoman Mosby and seconded by Councilwoman Kayla Lindsey, which removed the assistant salary line and made the funds available for other uses. Proponents said the move would free money to help animal control and other urgent needs; opponents argued a staff person would improve council responsiveness and professionalism.
“ We really need to get money in the budget for animal control,” Councilwoman Mosby said during debate, outlining requests for additional funding for flea control, wet food and necropsies. Controller Robert Gunter told the council the administration had already allocated a 5% increase for animal control in the proposed budget and that the document included about $111,000 more for animal control compared with last year, but council members pressed for immediate reallocation.
The controller described the overall budget as roughly $518 million with recent changes reflected in the packet. Supporters of the amended budget argued that redirecting the council assistant line (a full‑time salary plus benefits) avoided added long‑term personnel costs while addressing immediate operational needs at the animal shelter.
Council members debated alternatives including hiring interns or part‑time positions instead of a full‑time staffer; some said training investments could be a lower‑cost first step. The amendment passed on a recorded vote and the full amended budget ordinance was then adopted by roll call.
The council’s final actions included acceptance of the controller’s office amendment and related appropriations to finalize the 2025 spending plan. The controller said the budget is essentially balanced and that reserves would cover a roughly $160,000 overage if needed. The council was told the administration will monitor key health‑insurance and retirement accounts and may return with amendments if circumstances change.
The council requested staff follow‑up and documentation on several items, including a breakdown of the parks bond project estimates and details supporting transfers made between funds. The budget adoption concludes the council’s formal 2025 appropriations work; implementation and potential future amendments will be handled by staff and returned to the council if required.
