Mayor Stephanie Terry Releases 2027 Budget Survey Results

Evansville, Ind. - June 23, 2026 - More than 830 Evansville residents shared their priorities and concerns for the City of Evansville's 2027 budget through a digital survey launched on March 30, 2026. The survey helped identify which services residents prioritize and where they would like to see improvements ahead of the upcoming budget, which will be finalized on October 5, 2026.

"We asked residents to tell us what matters most, and they responded," said Mayor Stephanie Terry. "Their feedback helps us understand where we're meeting expectations, where we need to improve, and where future investments should be focused. As we prepare the 2027 budget, these results will be an important tool in helping us make thoughtful and responsible decisions on behalf of the community."

According to survey results, the top four services residents identified as priorities for the upcoming budget were:

• Affordable Housing (374 elections)
• Clean Water (148 elections)
• Maintenance of city facilities, roads, and sidewalks (68 elections)
• Code enforcement (64 elections)

Note: This question allowed up to three selections per response.

Respondents rated satisfaction with city services from very satisfied to very unsatisfied. Fire services, police services, and clean drinking water received the highest satisfaction, while street and sidewalk maintenance, tree maintenance, and code enforcement received the lowest. When rating Evansville as a place to live, work, and play, the most common response in all categories was "good" (43.7% living, 43.6% working, 29.8% playing).

The city also received numerous open-ended responses highlighting desired community improvements, with utility costs-particularly CenterPoint Energy bills-among the most frequently cited concerns. While the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission sets and approves energy rates, the city continues to advocate on behalf of local residents as well as provide support for bill relief, weatherization, and home repair programs.

The city budget survey was released for the second consecutive year under the leadership of Mayor Stephanie Terry as part of her administration's commitment to promoting a transparent government where residents have a voice in shaping the services, programs, and improvements. The survey was promoted through the city newsletter, news media, and social media.

The 2027 budget planning process started in April when the City of Evansville held its Community Budget Forum. In July, one-on-one departmental meetings will be held with Mayor Terry and Controller Robert Gunter. The Mayor will present the proposed budget to City Council on September 15, 2026 at 3:00 pm. The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback during public budget hearings prior to the final City Council vote on October 5, 2026.

To view a more detailed breakdown of the survey results, visit www.evansvillegov.org