City Council Brief

By Tess Bell

Our Times Staff

On Monday, September 8^th, the Evansville City Council held its bi-weekly meeting at the Civic Center. The meeting began with roll call – eight members of the council being present: Ben Trockman (Ward 1), Missy Mosby (Ward 2), Zac Heronemus (Ward 3), Angela Koehler Lindsey (Ward 5), Jim Brinkmeyer (Ward 6), Courtney Johnson (At-large), Paul Green (At-large), and Mary Allen (At-large), with Tanisha Carothers (Ward 4) being absent. The pledge of allegiance was led by Deputy Mayor Lindsey Snyder and followed by approval of the meeting memorandum and acknowledgement of reports and communications. Despite such a small agenda, the room was full, and the meeting proceeded to last over an hour.

For special orders of the day, Trockman gave the 2026 city council meeting schedule.

Summary

• Scamming by cryptocurrency ATMs is a growing issue in Evansville and the city is enforcing new regulations to fix this.
• The city is moving forward with its plan for a new EMS division which will include things such as new positions, 11 new ambulances, and new medical supplies. This is shown in the ordinance for transfer of appropriations.

Consent Agenda

The consent agenda was adopted as written.

Rezoning Certain Real Estate: ORDINANCE R-2025-25

 An ordinance rezoning 1116 Stanley Ave. from M2 to R4.

Rezoning Certain Real Estate: ORDINANCE R-2025-26

An ordinance rezoning 1 E Powell Ave. from R2 to R3.

Regular Agenda

Cryptocurrency ATM Regulations: ORDINANCE G-2025-19

This ordinance was adopted with all members voting yes.

This is an ordinance introducing a new chapter of the municipal code where crypto ATMs that allow consumers to buy or exchange virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, have new regulations. The ATMs must issue a public warning regarding the rise in fraud involving currency kiosks and safeguards such as identity verification, transaction limits, warning signage, and licensing or registration requirements will be implemented. 

Allen began this discussion, telling the council how she initially learned about the concerns of cryptocurrency ATMs and the amount that are in Evansville through Sergeant of the Financial Crimes Unit, Detective Nathan VanCleave. Sgt. VanCleave explained that Evansville currently has approximately 70 bitcoin ATMs, being in most of our gas stations and convenience stores. These ATMs use about a 10-15% mark up without warning or explanation causing many scam cases in our city. VanCleave says that “this year we already have 25 cases.” Allen says that she hopes this ordinance could eventually lead to state regulation.

This ordinance would specifically include things such as proper signage, considering these ATMs are used primarily for scamming, a mandatory customer service line, educating the owners of the places that house the ATMs, a direct line of communication channels to assist EPD with investigations related to fraud activity, and fines from approximately $100-$500.

Vicki Small, team lead for Indiana AARP, gave her support for this ordinance and stated that she speaks on behalf of the population 50 and over in Evansville. In total, citizens have been scammed out of $270,000. Small said she wants this ordinance to “curb the continued financial exploitation of older adults and their families using virtual currency kiosks.”

Transfer of Appropriations: ORDINANCE F-2025-10

This ordinance was adopted with Koehler Lindsey voting no, the six other members voting yes, and Mosby not being present for the vote. An ordinance authorizing the transfer of appropriations, the most significant being the transfer of money from the Casino Fund into the General Fund for the new Emergency Medical Service (EMS) division. The Chief of the Evansville Fire Department, Tony Knight, spoke on the transfers explaining that the money is to cover costs of Deputy Chief and three EMS supervisors, along with 11 ambulances and medical supplies.

Miscellaneous Business

The next meeting will be on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

These notes are a part of the Our Times Newspaper Documenters pilot program, a national program that trains and pays community members to attend local public meetings and take notes. This program addresses information gaps and empowers community members.