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Evansville council adopts 2025 budget, approves stormwater fee change and borrowing plan
Summary
The Evansville Common Council on Nov. 12 adopted its 2025 operating and capital budget, approved a stormwater fee amendment and a reimbursement resolution to allow borrowing for capital projects; council also approved a 3.5% pay philosophy and several related motions, all by unanimous roll call votes.
The Evansville Common Council adopted the city’s 2025 operating and capital budget and set tax levies at its Nov. 12 meeting, approving multiple budget-related resolutions and motions by unanimous roll call.
City Administrator Jason Sergeant summarized the budget and explained staff closed an earlier $30,000 levy gap; the proposal includes a 3.5% cost-of-living wage increase for city staff, capital-driven increases for Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Police, and higher utility capital and equipment costs. Sergeant said the plan will increase property taxes on a $300,000 home by about $130 per year.
During the public hearing portion of the meeting, resident Jeff Stevens questioned a reported 33% jump in property and liability insurance costs; Administrator Sergeant and council members described cost drivers and the constraints of available state funding. Resident Gary Roessler pressed the council on pavement plans for Grove Street; Sergeant said full resurfacing is delayed when underground work, such as 4-inch water main replacement, is required.
On motions and resolutions tied to implementing the budget, the council: - Approved a motion to adopt the city’s 2025 pay philosophy (moved by Alderperson Cory Neeley). - Approved Resolution 2024-23 amending the city’s Stormwater Fee (moved by Neeley). Council discussed whether the fee could be indexed and heard that increases must be defensible under law. - Approved Resolution 2024-25 declaring the city’s official intent to reimburse certain 2025 capital project expenditures from the proceeds of future borrowing (moved by Jim Brooks), clarifying that borrowing will be used to fund projects and may allow better pricing through bidding. - Adopted Resolution 2024-24 formally adopting the 2025 operating and capital budgets and setting tax levies (moved by Brooks).
Council also accepted October 2024 city bills totaling $2,202,546.30 and approved a contract with Johnson Block CPAs for the 2024 audit. Council members said the utility and stormwater budget increases are largely driven by capital projects, including the municipal dam conclusion and equipment needs. No council member opposed the budget measures; all votes were recorded as roll call 8-0.
Next steps: staff will proceed with bidding and borrowing actions authorized by the reimbursement resolution and implement the approved budget items for 2025.
