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Evansville council approves multiple ordinances and appropriations; key votes at a glance
Summary
The Evansville Common Council on March 30 adopted zoning changes, a taxi operator certificate, and a package of appropriations that included ARPA allocations and casino-fund loan drawdowns; most measures passed unanimously, while a spending ordinance passed 6–1.
The Evansville Common Council on March 30 approved a series of ordinances and resolutions covering zoning, business licensing and city appropriations.
The council adopted Ordinance G2026-06 to vacate an unimproved right-of-way at 3505 Rice Avenue, Ordinance G2026-07 granting a certificate of convenience and necessity for Raheem (Rahim) Taxi to operate within city limits, and multiple rezoning ordinances including R2026-04 (3027 Mount Vernon Avenue) and R2026-06 (717, 721 and 723 West Franklin Street). The council also adopted Ordinance F2026-02, an amended package of transfers and appropriations across city funds, and approved Resolution C2026-13 to issue a taxable note (2026A) to fund radio core replacement for 911 dispatch.
Votes at a glance (as recorded on the meeting floor): G2026-06 (vacate Rice Ave) — adopted (7 ayes); G2026-07 (taxi certificate) — adopted (7 ayes); R2026-04 (3027 Mount Vernon Ave) — adopted (7 ayes); R2026-05/R2026-06 (rezoning/downzoning items) — adopted (7 ayes where recorded); F2026-02 (appropriations, amended) — adopted (6 ayes, 1 nay); C2026-05 (gap funding to Hope of Evansville) — adopted (6 ayes, 1 recusal); C2026-12 (HUD conflict-of-interest acceptance/recusal) — adopted (6 ayes, 1 recusal); C2026-13 (taxable note for radio core) — adopted (7 ayes).
The taxi certificate (G2026-07) included a public presentation by applicant Tracy Smith, who said he would begin with one vehicle and expand to five within a year, and confirmed proposed fares matched city standard rates. On the appropriations ordinance (F2026-02), the controller’s office presented multiple line-item requests including use of CARES Act and ARPA balances, an urban forestry grant entry fee, relocation of electrical services for a Lloyd Expressway project, appropriations for the human relations/EEOC fund, and a loan draw for EMS station projects; council discussed ARPA deadlines and casino-fund accounting before approving the package 6–1.
Most measures were routine approvals or followed APC recommendations. Where councilors or neighbors raised concerns — for example, neighbors seeking assurances about road repair in the Rice Avenue vacation — the council recorded commitments or amended language before adoption.
Next steps: items adopted as ordinances or resolutions will be implemented by the relevant city departments per standard administrative processes; several appropriations noted conditions (for example, gap funding to Hope of Evansville is contingent on the nonprofit securing additional acquisition funds).
