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Evansville council approves revised Area Plan Commission agreement after heated debate
Summary
The council voted to adopt changes to the city–county Area Plan Commission agreement that cut membership to nine, make appointments 50/50, set an eight‑year consecutive term limit and adopt a three‑year contract; debate centered on last‑minute timing and possible job impacts.
The Evansville Common Council voted to adopt a revision to the interlocal agreement with Vanderburgh County that restructures the Area Plan Commission (APC), the council decided at its Dec. 16 meeting. The action, taken by ordinance and a companion resolution, passed after extended debate and an 8–1 roll‑call vote on the resolution.
Corporation Counsel Sarah Dower told the council the third amendment reduces APC membership from 13 to nine, establishes equal city–county appointment authority (50/50), imposes an eight‑year consecutive term limit with the option to sit out a year and return, designates the county surveyor as a tie‑breaker, and sets the agreement term at three years. "We showed up in good faith in an attempt to keep the department together," Dower said, framing the changes as a negotiated compromise.
Council members raised procedural and policy concerns about receiving the agreement at the end of the calendar year and questioned whether the county had provided evidence that restructuring was necessary. Councilwoman Carruthers said she did not see evidence that APC rules were the cause of development challenges and warned that the city was being backed into "an eleventh‑hour" decision. Ryan Schultz, who participated in negotiations for the county, said the county’s primary asks were fewer total board members and equal representation and that a nine‑member commission is common across Indiana.
Public commenters said the partnership should be preserved. Ken Colbert, a county resident and local business owner, urged council members to vote unanimously to keep the collaboration between county and city.
Council members focused on the practical risk: if the council did not adopt the amendment the county could move to separate planning functions, which city staff warned could disrupt joint services and might impact employees in the planning department. Dower and negotiators said the three‑year term offers a limited commitment and time to evaluate the arrangement.
The council adopted Ordinance G‑2024‑12 and later approved Resolution C‑2024‑26, which effectuates the third amendment to the interlocal agreement. The resolution carried 8 ayes and 1 nay on the roll call. President Hieronymus voted in the minority on at least parts of the discussion but the body approved the changes overall. According to Corporation Counsel, no current APC member will be removed midterm; reductions will occur by attrition.
The administration said it will monitor implementation over the three‑year term and expects to make adjustments if needed. The council record shows a mix of frustration over timing and cautious acceptance that the agreement preserves a joint department for the near term.
