EVANSVILLE — The Evansville City Council on Monday night approved the use of up to $7 million in casino capital improvement funds to help start the planned city-led ambulance service.
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry and Evansville Fire Department Chief Tony Knight announced in May the city would be terminating a long-standing contract with AMR in favor of a city-run ambulance service to start in July 2026.
At that time, Knight said the initial investment would cost around $7 million. Monday, the City Council agreed to a resolution with a promissory note for up to $7 million in a vote of 8-0. Councilor Jim Brinkmeyer, D-Sixth Ward, was absent.
Over the next year, EFD will be hiring paramedics, buying equipment − including ambulances − and preparing to assume total control of ambulance services in city limits on July 1, 2026.
According to the resolution, the promissory note will mature in 2029. There will be no interest.
Knight said the city will buy 11 ambulances. At least eight of the ambulances will be in place for the city by the end of the year.
There will also be the addition of 47 staff members. Knight said revenue will be used for operating and capital improvement budgets, then they will pay back the loan.
Knight said they expect to be able to pay that back within a couple of years, and then become self-sustaining in about four years.
“By 2028, we project an annual surplus of $3.5 million,” Knight said. “That’s revenue that can relieve pressure on the city’s general fund, freeing up dollars for investments in roads, housing, parks and other vital services.”
Knight said the city ambulance service will not be subsidized by taxes, but will be a pay-for-service model. This means revenue will come from insurance providers, Medicare, Medicaid and private payers. Billing will be done through a third-party service, Knight said.
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