Evansville Common Council Meeting Passes Budget and Data Center Moratorium on October 5, 2026

The Common Council of Evansville convened on October 5, 2026, at 5:35 PM. With all nine members present, the council passed the primary 2027 city budget, a 180-day moratorium on data center permits, and several salary ordinances. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment and council discussion regarding the use of Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:59 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Data Center Moratorium: Phillip Elpers spoke in support of the moratorium, expressing concern that a single data center could use 54% of the capacity of the Centerpoint power plant, threatening the city's improved air quality.
• Flock Cameras & 2027 Budget:
  • Thomas Stratton opposed the use of Flock, citing risks of a mass surveillance state and potential weaponization against immigrant communities.
  • Barton Heath argued against national surveillance networks, urging the council to focus on local police resources instead.
  • Marilyn Woodward warned that the city could face costly lawsuits related to the camera system.
  • Philip Alpers criticized the stakeholder process and implored the council to commit in the budget to halting mass surveillance rather than simply defunding it.
  • Bradley Vellis opposed the $182,000 line item, raising concerns about police abuse and the involvement of private companies.
• Parks & Infrastructure: Walter Branson Bennett, representing the Jacobsville Neighborhood Association, requested specific funding for Jacobsville and Claymire Parks for deferred maintenance, water fountains, a pagoda, and a basketball court.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance G-2026-18 (Data Center Moratorium): Council sponsor Green stated the ordinance imposes a 180-day pause on data center applications to allow the Area Plan Commission to study appropriate zoning. Councilwoman Kayler Lindsay supported the move to prevent loopholes and assess environmental risks.
• Ordinance G-2026-19 (Salary Administration): Controller Robert Gunter presented the ordinance. The council accepted an amendment to reduce the proposed increase from 5% to 4% for non-elected city employees, matching raises for other staff. The Mayor's salary was addressed in a separate ordinance.
• Ordinance F-2026-14 (2027 City Budget) & Flock Camera Debate:
  • Budget Details: Controller Gunter detailed the budget adjustments, noting an increase in FTA revenue reduced the budget gap from $5.3 million to $4.2 million. Planned uses of ARPA interest include a $250,000 summer youth employment program and $160,000 for local museums. The $182,000 for Flock cameras was moved to contractual services for budget transparency.
  • Flock Discussion: Chief of Police Phillip Smith defended the ALPR system, stating it has never been ruled a violation of the 4th Amendment. He outlined extensive safeguards: 45-day audits, a transparency portal, required CAD numbers for searches, disabled immigration enforcement settings, and 30-day data retention. He highlighted a case where Flock helped rescue a kidnapped child in 20 minutes. Councilmembers (Kayler Lindsay, Heronemus, Trockman, Green) acknowledged the "duality" of the issue—supporting the tool's effectiveness in solving crimes while understanding privacy concerns. Councilman Trockman pointed to other budget investments like $6 million for roads and $19.6 million for parks. Councilwoman Hatfield expressed concern that the budget largely addressed past neglect.
• Ordinance F-2026-16 (Port Authority Budget): The $529,740 budget was presented as primarily covering contractual services for potential dredging operations.
• Ordinance F-2026-17 (Elected Officials Salaries): A 4% cost-of-living increase was approved for officials, with Mayor Terry accepting a 2% increase.
• Resolution C-2026-33 (Qualis Engineered Plastics): This resolution authorized a memorandum of agreement for a 10-year property tax phase-in (approx. $1M real, $9M personal property) with clawback provisions.
• Resolution C-2026-37 (Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan): EMA Director Cliff Weaver explained the five-year FEMA requirement for the plan, which enables disaster funding eligibility.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance G-2026-18: Adopted 9-0.
• Ordinance G-2026-19: Adopted 9-0.
• Ordinance F-2026-14 (Budget): Adopted 8-1. Councilwoman Kayler Lindsay voted no, citing concerns over the general fund deficit and sustainability.
• Ordinance F-2026-16: Adopted 6-0.
• Ordinance F-2026-17: Adopted 7-0.
• Resolution C-2026-33: Adopted 7-0.
• Resolution C-2026-37: Adopted 7-0.