Vanderburgh County Council Meeting and 2027 Budget Adoption - October 7, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Council convened on October 7, 2026, for its regular meeting and immediately following, held the 2027 county budget adoption meeting. The regular meeting began at 3:03 PM local time (agenda time; the provided timestamp indicates 09:15 UTC). The council approved numerous personnel requests, appropriations, transfers, and new business items, including adoption of the Solid Waste Management District and Airport Authority budgets, a tax phase-in for a new apartment development, and compliance for existing tax deductions. The budget adoption meeting finalized the 2027 budget with a 3% salary increase for full-time employees and funding for new deputy prosecutors and jail staff.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Minutes from the September 2, 2026 County Council meeting and the September 2, 2026 County Budget Changes meeting were approved unanimously.
• Personnel Requests (Items A–D): Approved without discussion. Included requests from Circuit Court, Sheriff (retitle three Sergeant positions), Assessor, and Area Plan Commission.
• Personnel Request (Item E): Approved separately. Prosecutor's request to retitle, reclassify, and allow advanced step placement for the Admin & Outreach Coordinator (step one).
• Personnel Requests (Items F–P): Approved as a block. Included requests from Prosecutor IV-D, Public Defender (including filling Chief Public Defender vacancy, retitling a Paralegal, and creating stipend lines), Community Corrections, Cumulative Bridge, LIT Public Safety, Health Department (reestablishing Health Officer, amending pay schedule, filling multiple vacancies), and various grant positions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Samples (1611 N. Elm Ave., Evansville; St. Paul's United Church of Christ) described the church's food ministry. They serve 350 prepared meals twice a week (Wednesdays at 4:30 PM and Saturdays at 9:00 AM) at White Oaks park, distributing from a bus with no questions asked. Any leftover meals are taken to the Old Zena Family Shelter. He thanked the council and encouraged other churches to participate.

Discussion Items

• Solid Waste Management District 2027 Budget Adoption: Director Jean Carlson presented no changes. Councilman James Raben raised concerns about tipping fees collected by Republic Services at the landfill, noting heavy truck traffic and deteriorating road conditions on the access road. He suggested an audit of tipping fees and exploring whether out-of-county waste could be charged a higher fee. Councilman Tom Shetler recommended reviewing the contract between the city and Republic to see if road maintenance obligations exist. The Solid Waste District currently receives $2 per ton (max allowed by statute is $2.50), generating about $470,000–$500,000 annually, though tonnage is down this year. The budget was adopted by roll call vote (7-0).
• Evansville-Vanderburgh County Airport Authority 2027 Budget Adoption: No changes. Director Nate Hahn noted that the airport had its 8th busiest day in history through the security checkpoint, with four or five of the busiest days occurring this year. The budget was adopted unanimously by roll call.
• Confirming Resolution for Star Residences, LLC (The Nest at Red Bank): A $17.24 million investment for a 92-unit apartment community on 4.7 acres on South Red Bank Road. E-REP recommended a 7-year real property tax phase-in with a standard clawback agreement. Approved unanimously.
• Tax Phase-In Annual Compliance Report: Patrick Hickey (E-REP) reviewed 15 deductions for 12 taxpayers. 12 met compliance; three (SJIP LLC, Cross Point Polymer Technologies LLC, Lively Machine Company Inc.) fell below the 90% benchmark in at least two of three categories (investment, jobs, wages). Cross Point and Lively submitted letters citing loss of largest customer (20% of sales), tariff impacts, and workforce hiring challenges. E-REP recommended all 15 deductions continue, finding shortfalls beyond the companies' control. Council approved the recommendation unanimously.
• Amendments to Salary Ordinance: A 9-page document was presented. Councilman Raben moved to approve the amendments as submitted and enter them into the minutes. Approved unanimously.
• Budget Adoption Discussion (IT Contract): During the adoption meeting, Councilwoman Hahn expressed concerns about lack of transparency and information regarding a new IT managed services contract (budgeted at $3,924,879). She noted she had not received answers to prior questions about grants and cybersecurity. Council President Montrastelle explained the contract was awarded by a commission and approved by the commissioners and Board of Public Works; the council's role is to fund it. He agreed to have IT director Vern appear at a future meeting to address concerns. The motion to approve the funding passed (majority vote, no opposition recorded).

Key Outcomes

• Personnel Requests: All requests (A–P) approved.
• Appropriations:
  • Self-Insurance: $250,000 (approved)
  • County Buildings: $5,031 (approved)
  • Superior Court: $24,400 for employee buyout (approved)
  • Old National Events Plaza: $7,451 for extra payroll (approved)
  • Burdette Park: $75,057 (utility request reduced from $75,000 to $65,000, approved) (approved)
  • CCPI Treatment Court: $18,500 (approved)
  • CCPI Work Release: $21,400 (approved)
  • Highway: $55,485 for extra payroll (approved)
  • Casino Auditor/Commissioners: $4,500 (approved)
  • Public Defender: $112,972 (approved)
  • Convention Center Operating: $56,005 (approved)
• Transfers: Auditor, Sheriff, Circuit Court, other transfers through Health Department approved (bulk). LIT Jail transfer set to $0. Pretrial Diversion, Prosecutor, Prosecutor IV-D transfers approved.
• Solid Waste District Budget: Adopted (7-0 roll call).
• Airport Authority Budget: Adopted (7-0 roll call).
• Star Residences Tax Phase-In: Approved (7-0).
• Tax Phase-In Compliance: All 15 deductions approved to continue.
• Salary Ordinance Amendments: Approved.
• 2027 Budget Adoption:
  • Amended position titles approved.
  • 2027 Salary Ordinance approved, reflecting a 3% increase for full-time county employees.
  • Budget changes approved: 7 new deputy prosecutors at $84,227 each; commissioners rent at $6,802,987; jail fund transfers (confinement officers); IT contract at $3,924,879; Convention Visitors Bureau positions; Health Department lab and medical; LIT Public Safety 15 new confinement officers; LIT Superior Court positions zeroed; statewide 911 and other accounts. All 2000, 3000, and 4000 accounts approved.
  • 2027 Health Insurance Budget approved.
  • County tax rate set as per DLGF review.
  • Cumulative Bridge tax rate set at $0.036 per $100 valuation.
• Upcoming Meetings: Council P&F Meeting on October 28, 2026, at 3:00 PM; County Council Meeting on November 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM.