Evansville council passes a package of licenses, board changes, budget moves and police financing

At its Dec. 16 meeting, the Evansville Common Council approved several ordinances and resolutions in a single session, ranging from business licensing to budget transfers and a financing measure for police vehicles.

Key outcomes at a glance: - Ordinance G‑2024‑11: Certificate of convenience and necessity for Dave’s Taxi Service to operate in 2025 (adopted by roll call, 9–0). Owner David Goldblatt thanked the council for longtime support. - Ordinance G‑2024‑13: Amendment to the Tree Advisory Board allowing a parks department representative and expanding neighborhood association eligibility for board service (adopted, 9–0). - Ordinance F‑2024‑20: Transfers, additional appropriations and cleanup ordinance; City Controller Robert Gunter noted an almost $2 million movement related to health insurance reconciliation; the council adopted amendments on the floor and passed the ordinance (9–0). - Ordinance F‑2024‑21: Metropolitan Development reconciliation of EDA loan fund lines and a $28,594.23 appropriation from cash to a loan line (adopted, 9–0). - Resolution C‑2024‑28: Authorization to issue a taxable note to finance police vehicles and body cameras; controller presented a plan to use the Evansville Bond Bank with a multi‑year payoff to mid‑2028; council adopted the resolution (9–0).

"We hope to keep the interest local," City Controller Robert Gunter said of using the Evansville Bond Bank for the police procurement. Dave’s Taxi owner David Goldblatt told the council he is grateful for continued support and encouraged citizens to join a community beautification effort.

Votes were unanimous or near‑unanimous on these routine and budget items; debate in the meeting centered mainly on the APC interlocal amendment (separately reported) and on board appointment timing rather than on the budgeted transfers themselves.

The council's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.