Due to ongoing weather conditions, Republic Services has suspended all City waste and recycling collection through the weekend.

Regular collection will resume on Monday, February 2, 2026.

On that day, Republic Services will collect household carts and any extra bagged trash & recycling placed next to the carts.

Safety remains the top priority—for residents, their property, and collection crews. This week’s weather has challenged our community, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as services safely return to normal.

We will continue to share updates as they become available.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our community safe.

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Jan. 28, the Indiana House of Representatives passed House Bill 1307, authored by State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville). This bipartisan bill seeks to protect Indiana children by requiring the Department of Child Services (DCS) Ombudsman’s office to investigate complaints alleging that DCS failed to protect a child’s physical or mental health and safety.

Burton released the following statement:

“DCS is meant to be a safe haven to protect our children, yet dozens of Hoosier children are still put in harm’s way every year — many of whom are already in the DCS system. I authored HB 1307 to curb this issue by requiring DCS’ Ombudsman’s office to investigate and resolve complaints alleging DCS of failing to protect a child’s wellbeing. The Ombudsman’s office was created to serve as an independent watchdog office over DCS. This bill ensures they’re doing just that.

As a member of the House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee and a long-time children’s advocate, I am very proud to have authored HB 1307. I’m even prouder that my first bill to pass the House is about protecting children. I’m eager to see it move to the Senate for further consideration, and with any luck, to Gov. Braun’s desk to be signed into law.

01-30-2026 Agenda Attachment:

01-12-2026 Memo Attachment:

A.

ORDINANCE F-2026-01 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Green Discussion Led By:  Finance Chair Green Discussion Date: 2/9/2026 Notify: Robert Gunter, Controller

F-2026-01 Attachment:

B.	ORDINANCE R-2026-02 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2713 Jeanette Ave Owner: Ronald Lee Strahl Requested Change:  R1 to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 2 Taylor Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC

R-2026-02 Attachment:

C.	ORDINANCE R-2026-03 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2708 & 2712 Jeanette Ave Owner: Robert D Strahl Requested Change:  R1 to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 2 Taylor Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC

R-2026-03 Attachment:

A.

ORDINANCE G-2026-01 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places Within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as Part of a 60 foot Right-of-Way for Chestnut Street in the Original Plan of the City of Evansville Sponsor(s): Green Discussion Led By:  Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates

G-2026-01 Attachment:

B.	ORDINANCE G-2026-02 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.05.090 of the Evansville Municipal Code to Increase Curbside Refuse Collection Fees Sponsor(s): Trockman, Allen, Green Discussion Led By:  Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS

G-2026-02 Attachment:

C.

ORDINANCE G-2026-03 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places Within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as the 12’ Alley Behind 1028 Hensz Ave Sponsor(s): Koehler Lindsey Discussion Led By:  Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Roger Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting

G-2026-03 Attachment:

D.	ORDINANCE R-2025-31 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2923 Mount Vernon Ave Owner: KEG Holdings, LLC Requested Change:  R2 to R3 w/UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Kimberly Clark, eXp Realty, LLC

R-2025-31 Attachment:

E.

ORDINANCE R-2025-32 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1521 & 1523 W Missouri St Owner: Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, Inc Requested Change:  M3 to R2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Patrick Landry, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville, Inc

R-2025-32 Attachment:

F.

ORDINANCE R-2025-33 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 401, 407 & 421 N Fulton Ave Owner: Franklin St Lofts, LLC Requested Change:  C4 to M1 w/ UDC Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC

R-2025-33 Amended Attachment:

G.	ORDINANCE R-2025-34 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as N Burkhardt Rd Owner: State of Indiana Requested Change:  C2 to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC

R-2025-34 Attachment:

H.	ORDINANCE R-2025-35 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1120 Professional Blvd Owner: DDA, LLC Requested Change:  CO2 w/ UDC to C4 w/ UDC Ward: 3 Heronemus Representative: James E Morley, Morley

R-2025-35 Amended Attachment:

A.

RESOLUTION C-2026-03 A Resolution Ratifying Certain Prior Actions of the Department of Metropolitan Development, By and Through Its Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee, Regarding Allocations from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Nonprofit Organizations Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-03 Attachment:

B.

RESOLUTION C-2026-04 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for Advantix Development Corporation River City Homes in the City of Evansville, Indiana in an Amount not to Exceed Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-04 Attachment:

C.

RESOLUTION C-2026-05 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for Hope of Evansville Inc Phoenix Apartments, in the City of Evansville, Indiana in an Amount not to Exceed Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-05 Attachment:

D.

RESOLUTION C-2026-06 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Authorizing Affordable Housing Funds for JD Sheth Foundation Inc. Meena’s Place, in the City of Evansville, Indiana in an Amount not to Exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-06 Attachment:

E.	RESOLUTION C-2026-07 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Accepting A Conflict of Interest for City Administered HUD Funds Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-07 Attachment:

F.	RESOLUTION C-2026-08 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Accepting A Conflict of Interest for City Administered HUD Funds Sponsor(s): Green, Allen, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Kolbi Jackson, DMD

C-2026-08 Attachment:

G.

RESOLUTION C-2026-09 A Confirmatory Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property and Granting a Waiver of Noncompliance for an Economic Revitalization Area (Uniseal Inc) Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer, Trockman, Allen Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Patrick Hickey, E-REP

C-2026-09 Attachment:

H.	RESOLUTION C-2026-10 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Declaring its Support for House Bill 1250 Sponsor(s): Allen, Hatfield, Trockman Discussion Led By:  President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/30/2026 Notify: Joshua Trockman, KDDK

C-2026-10 Attachment:

A.	THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, February 9, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

B.	2025 INVESTMENT REPORT; Robert Gunter, City Controller

C.	BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

D.	ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

New Kaufman Hall analysis shows margins remain below national averages;
Hospital leaders warn services and patient access at risk without policy action

January 27, 2026 (INDIANAPOLIS) — Indiana hospitals are facing a worsening financial outlook that threatens access to essential health services across the state, according to a new analysis prepared by Kaufman Hall for the Indiana Hospital Association (IHA).

The report reveals that Indiana hospitals continue to operate on razor thin margins—with a median operating margin of just 1.9% in 2025 through August, below the national median of 2.6% during that time. Meanwhile, operating income among Indiana hospitals fell 5.5% year-over-year, representing nearly $50 million in diminished resources available to support patient care. Further, modeling shows a high probability of $1 billion in annual losses for Indiana hospitals over the next three to five years.

“These findings make clear that Indiana hospitals are approaching a breaking point,” said Scott B. Tittle, president of the Indiana Hospital Association. “With the 8th lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the nation and rapidly rising costs, hospitals simply do not have the tools they need to continue providing the level of care Hoosiers deserve. Without meaningful policy changes, more hospitals—particularly in rural communities—will be forced to scale back or eliminate essential services.

Rural Services Already in Jeopardy

Indiana’s rural hospitals remain among the most financially vulnerable. Earlier this year, Greene County General Hospital was forced to shut down its obstetrics (OB) department—an essential service for families in the region—due to chronically inadequate reimbursement.

“We could no longer sustain the OB unit because Medicaid and commercial insurance pay so far below the actual cost of care,” saidBrenda Reetz, CEO of Greene County General Hospital. “This was a heartbreaking decision for our community. No hospital wants to cut services, but when reimbursement fails to cover even basic operating costs, we are left with no choice.”

Medicaid Shortfalls Straining Urban Providers

For urban safety net hospitals, the financial challenges are equally severe, driven in large part by Medicaid underpayment and shifts in payer mix.

“At Methodist Hospitals, Medicare and Medicaid make up 80% of our payer mix, and the reimbursement simply does not match the cost of providing care,” said Matt Doyle, president and CEO of Methodist Hospitals. “Our mission is to provide high quality health care to all those in need, but as more patients move into government coverage programs or go uninsured due to gaps in coverage, hospitals like ours struggle to maintain the level of services our communities rely on.”

Rising Costs Outpacing Revenue

The Kaufman Hall analysis shows expenses increased by 4.7% for Indiana hospitals in 2025, outpacing revenue growth of 4%. Labor expenses alone rose 4.2%, even after hospitals reduced reliance on more expensive contract labor by nearly 50%. Nonlabor expenses—including medical supplies and purchased services—also grew significantly.

“This report reflects what our teams see every day,” said Dr. Patrick McGill, president and CEO of Community Health Network. “We’re caring for patients with increasingly complex needs, as we face continued financial pressure. Over time, that limits our ability to invest, grow services, and retain caregivers. What’s at risk is our ability to provide access to care for the communities we serve.”

Emergency Department Visits Surge — Adding Pressure, Not Relief

Indiana emergency department (ED) visits grew 16.8% in 2025, far exceeding the national average of 1.4%, according to the report.

Even with high patient demand, many hospitals are still operating at a loss. This increase represents a major financial strain for hospitals because ED care is extremely resource intensive and costly to provide—requiring high staffing levels, complex clinical capabilities, and absorbing a disproportionate share of uninsured and underinsured patients

“We were the busiest we have ever been last year—and we still ended up with a negative margin,” said Mike Schroyer, president of Baptist Health Floyd. “That is not sustainable. Hospitals cannot continue absorbing these losses year after year. Legislative reform is urgently needed to ensure we can continue meeting the needs of our patients and our communities.”

Indiana Hospitals Continue Prioritizing Patient Affordability

Despite these challenges, Indiana hospitals continue prioritizing efforts to make care more affordable. According to the report, hospitals in Indiana provide more charity care than the national average, demonstrating a strong commitment to ensuring patients can access needed services regardless of their ability to pay.

Simulation Modeling Shows Severe Risks Ahead

To better understand future risks, Kaufman Hall conducted simulation modeling examining likely financial scenarios for Indiana hospitals over the next three to five years. The results show a high probability of more than $1 billion in annual losses for hospitals statewide, driven by continued underpayment, shifts toward government payer programs, and rising costs. Under the most likely scenarios,Indiana hospital operating margins are projected to fall to –3%, pushing many hospitals into severe financial strain.

These projections illustrate that, without intervention, Indiana hospitals will face increasingly untenable conditions—leading to further service reductions, workforce cuts, and potential consolidations.

Urgent Need for Legislative Action

IHA is calling on state and federal lawmakers to address the systemic challenges facing hospitals by:

• Modernizing Medicaid reimbursement rates
• Reducing administrative burdens and insurer-imposed delays and denials
• Ensuring hospitals can continue providing essential services, particularly in rural areas
• Supporting financial stability to prevent hospital closures and service reductions

“Indiana hospitals have demonstrated remarkable resilience, but resilience alone cannot fix a fundamentally unsustainable financial environment,” Tittle said. “We stand ready to work with our state and federal policymakers on solutions that will protect access to care for all Hoosiers.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun today announced he has made selections to fill three judicial vacancies. Joshua McMahan, Kevin McDaniel, and Elliott McKinnis have been appointed to fill the vacancies.

“These appointments reflect a strong commitment to experience, fairness, and the rule of law,” Gov. Mike Braun said. “Each appointee brings a deep understanding of the courtroom and a clear dedication to public service, and I am confident they will serve their communities with integrity.”

Joshua McMahan has been appointed to the Howard Superior Court 1. McMahan received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree (summa cum laude) from Ball State University and received his Juris Doctor from IU McKinney School of Law in 2010. He has served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Howard County Major Felony Division, handling numerous major felony jury trials. McMahan has been a partner at Butcher, Ball, Lowry, McMahan & McClelland for 13 years.

Kevin McDaniel has been appointed to the Tippecanoe Superior Court 1. McDaniel received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 2007 and a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso School of Law in in 2010. McDaniel has tried approximately 70 jury trials during his 15 years as a deputy prosecuting attorney in both Tippecanoe and Vandenburg County.

Elliott McKinnis has been appointed to the West Lafayette City Court. McKinnis received a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and a Juris Doctor from IU McKinney School of Law in 2010. McKinnis served as deputy prosecuting attorney for the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor’s Office and the deputy public defender for the Tippecanoe County Public Defender’s Office. He currently works full time for Cook Research Incoporated and will retain his position while taking on this new part-time role.

Attorney General Todd Rokita recently secured the revocation of the medical license of Rensselaer physician, Dr. Patrick Sheets, for facilitating an illegal abortion, having sexual contact with patients and prescribing to addicts.

The Office of the Attorney General became aware of serious violations of state law, including Dr. Sheets’ facilitation of an illegal abortion for a patient with whom he had engaged in a sexual relationship and prescribing controlled substances despite her history of addiction. Following a nearly 8-hour hearing on Thursday before the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana, Attorney General Rokita’s team successfully argued for the revocation of Dr. Sheets’ Indiana medical license.

“Vulnerable patients should not be preyed upon when seeking health care services, and the provider is expected to act in the patient’s best interests,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Dr. Sheets’ actions violated the trust that so many of us have in our health care providers and the boundaries we expect they maintain as professionals. Our office will continue to protect Hoosiers from unsafe medical practices.”

Over a period of several months, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) also received multiple consumer complaints alleging that Dr. Sheets engaged in dangerous prescribing habits, including prescribing controlled substances such as alprazolam to a patient with known substance abuse issues without proper evaluations, improperly securing a controlled substance key fob, and falsifying medical records.

In one complaint, a family member of a patient reported that Dr. Sheets continued prescribing addictive medications to their mother despite being informed of her addiction and alcoholism, contributing to her arrests and repeated rehabilitation stays. Another complainant, a former patient, alleged that Dr. Sheets coerced them into illegal activities to maintain access to prescribed medications and engaged in inappropriate relationships with patients and staff while prescribing controlled substances to them.

Attorney General Rokita expressed gratitude to Deputy Attorneys General Ryan Eldridge, Kelsey McKnight, Carah Rochester and Investigator Cassie McDaniel for their work on this case. Their thorough work bringing this case before the board resulted in the future protection of Hoosier patients.

In July, the Indiana State Board of Pharmacy agreed to accept an agreement by Dr. Sheets to suspend his license to prescribe controlled substances for 90 days.