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Evansville: Mayor Terry Presents Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. — September 14, 2026 — Mayor Stephanie Terry today delivered the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 preliminary budget, outlining a $152.1 million General Fund plan that prioritizes investments in critical City services and infrastructure, while responsibly addressing financial challenges posed by Senate Enrolled Act (SEA)1.

"This budget is about taking care of the basics and investing in what Evansville needs," said Mayor Stephanie Terry. "We're putting resources into roads, parks, public safety and essential City services, while making responsible decisions about our finances. We have some financial challenges to work through, but we're going to keep doing the work our residents expect from us."

Foundational to the proposed budget are investments that strengthen essential services and support the City's long-term growth, with a focus on maintaining and improving roads, stormwater and sewer systems, public safety, parks, and quality-of-life necessities that residents rely on every day. Some highlights include:
  • $6 million to pave nearly 27 miles of streets;
  • Upgrades to aging stormwater infrastructure to strengthen emergency and disaster readiness;
  • More than $1.3 million in park improvements, including development of a five-year parks master plan to address overdue maintenance and guide future investments;
  • $1.3 million in improvements at Mesker Park Zoo to support continued accreditation and provide a safe, high-quality experience for both visitors and animals;
  • $1 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support housing projects and expand home repair programs;  
  • Construction of Evansville's first new fire station in more than 25 years to strengthen fire and emergency response capabilities; and
  • $1 million in additional public safety capital investments, including a new platform truck for the Fire Department and more police vehicles and radios.

The proposed budget represents an 8.5% increase over FY 2026 focused on addressing Evansville's fundamental needs. These priorities include a continued commitment to help ensure City employees are paid competitively, supporting the addition of a fully operational, in-house emergency medical services (EMS) system within the Evansville Fire Department, and meeting required increases in the City's pension and health insurance contributions.

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"We are already seeing the value of investing in our people and strengthening how we deliver services, said Mayor Terry. "When you call for help, a full crew of firefighters now arrives an average of 1 minute and 22 seconds faster than just one year ago. That's an 18 percent improvement in response time."

The City is also taking steps to address the financial challenges facing local government. In FY 2027, the General Fund is projected to generate approximately $12.8 million more in recurring revenue than budgeted for FY 2026. However, rising costs and the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1, are limiting available revenue to local governments. Based on an analysis by Reedy Financial, the City would have received approximately $4.1 million more in property tax revenue in 2026 if not for this legislation. That impact is projected to grow to roughly $6 million in 2027. To address this gap, Mayor Terry has proposed a path forward focused on strengthening the City's financial position while protecting core services. The plan includes:
  • Reviewing $6.5 million in vacant-position funding to identify essential hires and reduce nonessential overtime;
  • Shifting eligible General Fund expenses to other appropriate funding sources;
  • Reviewing existing debt for refinancing opportunities that could lower interest costs; and
  • Launching a comprehensive procurement review to consolidate purchasing, negotiate better pricing, and reduce duplication, with potential annual savings of nearly $1 million.

"My obligation is to spend every dollar we have toward the needs of the city and its people in a responsible, efficient, effective way," said Mayor Terry. "That's why we have approached this budget from both sides of the equation: strengthening revenue where we can while aggressively looking for opportunities to control costs and operate more efficiently."

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City Council is scheduled to hold two public readings of the budget. The first will take place at its September 28 meeting, followed by a second reading and final vote, including any Council-led changes, at its October 5 meeting. Both readings will take place at 5:30 p.m. in room 301.

See the full preliminary budget here.

About the City of Evansville
The City of Evansville is Indiana's third-largest city and serves as the economic, healthcare, educational, and cultural hub of southwestern Indiana. Home to more than 115,000 residents, Evansville is committed to building a safer, stronger, and more affordable community through strategic investments, strong partnerships, and innovative public service. Learn more at www.evansvillegov.org.

About Mayor Stephanie Terry
Stephanie Terry serves as the 35th Mayor of Evansville and is focused on building a safer, stronger, and more affordable city through investments in public safety, economic growth, neighborhood revitalization, reliable infrastructure, and opportunities for future generations. Learn more about Mayor Terry's priorities and initiatives.

Mayor's Office Media Contact
Anna Raben
araben@evansville.in.gov
812-305-0543

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