The Evansville City Council has approved a 2026 budget. But as WNIN’s John Gibson reports, the vote was not unanimous:
The council approved the spending plan 5-to-1, with the council’s lone Republican, Angela Koehler-Lindsey, voting “no.”
She cited concerns, including the city’s fire department taking over emergency ambulance service:
"I'm just been concerned about the timing on doing this right now with the economy the way it is and with the difficulties that we're facing with funding challenges."
But Democratic Councilor Zach Heronemus said Fire Chief Anthony Knight performed due diligence:
"He triple-checked not just internally but externally with professionals that understand this particular business."
Democrat Missy Mosby abstained from the vote due to her new position at Animal Care and Control, and Democrats Jim Brinkmeyer and Courtney Johnson did not attend Monday night’s meeting.
The city expects about four-million dollars less in property tax revenue next year due to action by state legislators and Governor Braun.