EVANSVILLE, INDIANA: A WONDERFUL PLACE TO LIVE
Evansville is a unique place on the Ohio River, here for more than two hundred years. Its intimacy with the river has sustained it over all that time, bringing it food, settlers, and business. During World War II, Evansville stepped up as a formidable provider of the tools for victory.
The Evansville Golden Crescent is made up of roughly four parts:
Upstream has concentrated the expression of our history with the LST 325, the Evansville Museum, and the delightful historic home section.
The Golden Crescent
Next is the business engine of banks, larger corporations, courts, new Arena and government. Below that area is the Entertainment District containing Aztar, its bars and gambling. Finally, in the Evansville’s last, downstream section resides it heavy industry with its promise of rejuvenation of a slack water port in the decade to come. Here lies our city !
Surrounded by four major midwestern cities, Evansville has the major advantage of being able to easily get to those urban centers, if desired. Yet our city does retain the marvelous features of quiet sustaining neighborhoods, personal kindness, safe streets and relatively low taxes.
City of Evansville Population
(2009) – 116,584
(2010) – 116,500 with annexation areas included
Vanderburgh County Population (2009) – 175,434
GPS Location – 37.966865 -87.566724
Evansville Regional Airport, IN
Elevation 417 ft Latitude: 38.04306; Longitude –87.52028
Estimated Median Household Income: Evansville – $33,600 Indiana – $47,966
CITY OF EVANSVILLE PROJECTED REVENUES
Miscellaneous $ 88,192,216
General Fund Property Tax 56,605,735
Sewer Fund Fees 36,244,000
Water Fund Fees 23,237,700
Local County Income Tax 11,367,609
River Boat Fund 10,641,310
Park Fund Property Tax 6,247,500
Fire Pension Property Tax 105,000
Police Pension Property Tax 105,000
Grand Total Revenue Projected $232,782,070
Miscellaneous Revenues: (in Million $)
General Misc 26.4, Fire Pension 5.7, Police Pension 7.0, Parks Misc 3.9, Park Refunding 0.4, Redevelopment Bond 2011 1.3, Redevlmt Bond ret. 0.2, Print & Supply 0.5, Law Enforcement Ed 0.1, COIT Misc1.8, Cumultv Capital Improvemt 0.3, Rvboat Misc 0.03, Highwy 4.5, Rny Day 0.03, Golf 1.5, Redevlmt TIF Ret Bond 0.4, Sports 0.4, Greenway 0.3, Local Rds & Strts 1.8, Cert Tech Pk, 0.001, Pking Gargs 0.5, HUD Fair Hsing 0.03, EEOC 0.05, TIF Projects Acct 6.9, Hospitalization 19.5, Unemplmt Fd 0.1, Wrkers Comp 1.0, Liabty Ins Fd2.4, Waste Watr 0.7 = $88,192,216
CITY OF EVANSVILLE 2011 PROJECTED EXPENSES
Total Utility – Water, Sewer & Wastewater $60,133,316
Police 29,420,344
Fire 23,690,223
Total Insurance Fund 22,885,311
Local Income Tax Use Fund 15,318,892
Riverboat Fund 11,168,030
Miscellaneous 10,535,608
Parks and Recreation 10,311,606
Remainder of General Fund 9,053,661
METS 7,159,122
Master TIF Projects 6,917,997
Fire Pension 5,635,137
Highway Fund 5,498,396
Central Dispatch 3,192,956
Local Roads & Streets 2,131,186
Golf Course Non-Reverting 1,511,728
Redevelopment Bond Fund 1,375,519
Dept of Metro City 1,238,655
Code Enforcement 1,185,720
Grand Total City Projected 2011 Expenses $228,363,407
CITY OF EVANSVILLE – CHALLENGES
BACK to BASICS:
Recession – Slow recovery or double dip.? As the stimulus money’s effect has blunted the potentially catastrophic deep slope of a depression, it is now time to slow BIG government spending, until the exact length and depth of the downturn can be accurately determined. The independent variables of increased revenue from phased-in, newly annexed city areas and a hopeful increase of sales tax income may counter balance the dip caused by the constitutionally demanded property tax ceilings and the EPA sewerage judgment. New hiring for jobs is most needed and should come in one to two years. It is time to be cautious to commit money to projects other than those of the most basic nature. A full-scale attack on new business creation with continued intense encouragement of existing businesses is primary.
Basic Services – As police and fire create public safety and trash collection protects us from epidemics, these needs are paramount. The Firefighter contract must be promptly settled. In the future, arbitration legislation may be needed to push the process along. If the possible revenue crunch does become prohibitive, these primary obligations will take precedent for all other city funding, which could include administrative pay cuts. In light of these basic needs, other much less demanding, frivolous spending should be sharply curtailed.
Sewer Correction – Although an admirable start to correct a huge long-standing problem has been done, much is needed yet. The sewer/water rates have been increased regularly over recent years with each sewer project. Because of the uncertain nature of our economy, no new sewer rate increases should be entertained for at least two years. The Public’s squeal factor is beginning to be heard. The slope of sewer rate increases should be flattened, until the final bill to be paid from the EPA case is known. Ultimately soon, the decades present, eye-and-nose sore of Bee Slough should made into a cleansing fen.
New Arena – About three quarters of the way through its creation, the new Arena’s building goes apace. It IS a beautiful edifice. Hopefully, it will finish early and under budget, as it has so far. When done, it should draw crowds of people to the Downtown on more than 130+ occasions per year. Roberts Stadium costs $15,000 per month to maintain empty, which will not occur for some months. Would it not be worthwhile to retain the iconic building and create another interior use for it? Any solution should wait for at least a year, until it so apparent that the worse of the recession’s damage has passed. All other solutions should be fleshed out during this waiting period to deliver value to ALL of our citizens…not just a handful.
City-County Merger – Although many good ideas have come forth in this most recent effort, the decision not to have the referendum be on this fall’s ballot has effective paralyzed its forward progress. Now that the study has been turned in on January 11st, it may sit gathering dust for almost two years before an appropriate election cycle occurs. The public’s present apathy may well be in concrete by then. The study’s cost of $108,000 for legal and secretarial uses needs to be documented in detail. The question of whether the study was worth the money has yet to be answered.
Summary – The search for city/public consensus management is desperately needed. A kinder, gentler, less “my way or the highway†approach should be sought.
“City-County Merger – Although many good ideas have come forth in this most recent effort, the decision not to have the referendum be on this fall’s ballot has effective paralyzed its forward progress. Now that the study has been turned in on January 11st, it may sit gathering dust for almost two years before an appropriate election cycle occurs.”
Yes, it is a true shame that the scam artists pushing this “steal from the rich” plan could not get their way and have it on the ballot when only city voters had any other reason to go to the polls. I am truly lamenting this disgusting turn of events.
It wasn’t enough that the consultant proudly declared a tax cut for city dwellers and an increase for rural ones (in order to buy city votes), but it was also planned to further “pad the payroll” by having it on the ballot at a time when no one outside the city had a reason to go vote other than consolidation. We also musn’t forget the lack of “threshold rejection” in deciding this matter.
One thing is for certain. If I ever entered into any type of agreement with any of those who have set the stage for consolidation, I would most certainly read the fine print a few dozen times. They seem to be the type who only wish to enter into agreements rigged in their favor, whether by hook or crook.
This is just another example of the sleezy politics Evansburgh is so famous for. To even hint at any kind of “sorrow” that this vote has been delayed until a time when EVERYONE would naturally be at the polls anyway brings one’s character into question. Are you hinting? I certainly hope not.
Dear Magicman, I,in my own template way, am trying to set a precdent of seeing wher the money coes frm and where it goes. Goog;le Association of Givermental Accountabolity If you would like a copy oif the rpoesent merger document call me at 459-4221, tell me your email and I”l send you a copy to dissect …Dan
Consolidation Voting Without Threshold Rejection
Dear Mr,/Ms. _________
Greetings and salutations! I am writing you today regarding a matter of vital importance.
I represent a patient in dire need of a heart transplant. They only have a short time left to live without one. It has been determined that you, as a donor, are a perfect match. Congratulations!
Do not worry. Your interests will be protected. Trust me. I’ll take care of everything. The if and when of your heart donation will be decided in the customary American way; by vote. A simple majority rules will apply. You will have one vote and the potential recipient will also have one. Oh, did I mention that his wife of 30 years will get one vote also?
The vote will take place in my office next Tuesday at 2PM. I understand that you have a prior committment in Tegucigalpa at that time but surely you can make special arrangements to attend and cast your ballot.
After the votes are tallied, should you lose, you will notified of a date, time and place where you will be required to surrender your heart. Who knows, maybe his wife hates him and you will win. Stranger things have happened! Of course, she has already been promised a movie deal if he survives so I wouldn’t bet too much on that.
Sincerely,
Trust Me, I’m From The Government
I wonder if Dan Adams fully grasps the impact of certain details hiding in the merger plan submitted to City Council on January 11. Read it again, Dan. Pay very close attention. If you can’t detect the technical flaws, you’d better at least pay attention to the political flaws.
“The Public’s squeal factor…”? “…is beginning to be heard.”?
Surely that does not mean you’re imply we’re livestock in any way?
Is this implying that you’re seriously just beginning to hear the public? Does this hint, to get the old ears checked out Doc?
It’s so predictable how we see ALL those “reasons” used to sell that new stadium washed away with the morning frost. All the politicians have to show for our 122 Million of debt payments is, what a “beautiful edifice”… Unbelievable!
On top of that, mentioning what it “should” do… now that it’s built!
Well Done Dr. Dan! Why can’t more politicians post simple, basic balance sheets like this?
I don’t see the balance sheet, it’s ironically not there among all the details provided. Incomes and expenses, GPS location, longitude and latitude, yes. Debt balances, no.
I appreciate Mr. Adams opinion, and would like to offer mine. Our family was transferred to Evansville a few years ago for my husband’s position. He walked away from that position last year so we could move from the community. It was the worse place we’ve ever lived. The city and council government is inept and corrupt. The public school system is laughable. We went back to the HR department and implored them to tell the truth about this community when pitching it to folks moving from across the country. We’ve met other folks who walked away from jobs at Mead Johnson, Whirlpool (when it was there) and other companies because Evansville was not a good fit for their families. We are used to living in communities where you have everything at or near your fingertips (museums, travel, culture, etc.). The families that we met in Evansville seemed to spend most of their time outside of the city – traveling to Indianapolis, St. Louis, Nashville or Louisville for recreation and cultural activities. Who wants to do that every weekend? Not to mention all of the families who send their kids to private and or religious schools. You can always judge a community’s public school system by the number of folks who go outside of it. We’re happy to be relocated in a wonderful community with a quality of life and educational, recreational and cultural opportunities better suited for our family. I wish Mr. Adams and the rest of the citizenry well, but hope that none of our friends and family ever have to set foot in Evansville again.
I am from elsewhere too and agree with all that you say about life in Evansville. Corrupt and inept local government “check”, Delusional school system and civic groups “check”, total lack of awareness of the outside world “check”. Locals are also judgmental and unfriendly to people who move here. And yes, when asking what is good about Evansville the answer is often how close it is to Louisville, Nashville, etc. Congratulations on escaping and good luck with your new home. You must have a high IQ because nearly all of the smart people in Evansville are looking for a way out.
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