[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6457225,"mediaKeyId","5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c","parentId",5894947,"title","Evansville council adopts ordinance to regulate bitcoin ATMs after police warn of scams","audioSeconds",887,"startMs",307000,"endMs",1194000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c&start=307&end=1194","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c/thumbnail_307000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457225/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-council-adopts-ordinance-to-regulate-bitcoin-ATMs-after-police-warn-of-scams","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457225-deeefbbb8bb07a9137cb6a927377dac8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172174&Signature=AtuQcDYwP-g9AiQS~Kc-nxHYtVSh2Dedor~WzX3hqFMeiYQToEVJM3Wc~3HLLyU8UFLbzECPiVJBhgj5n686vf8XTwELxOHut8KNNuSh4aHCtA9jNFwlvXp7g9rDLQOwzr8xz5wIg8lJE7GvE1tOUeCVziVrMbr-bAtW8l1LhwGBPec4ouBqRQ3BXVDfPmC-76kiMS4xX4YAyf8mqlBQZFX0o26288xiM7yC7cLsbUcIdeob2OfX1CMmRqX6PgYYEftysVIBmcNwRH9caR9otARrJq1CowopC3WbR~Enq5SC5iJ0NWybluwjfu2vF96uRQ5XjlHFfeRwVeC6fgt-cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Evansville","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Evansville Common Council on Sept. 8 adopted an amended ordinance creating a new chapter of the municipal code to regulate virtual currency kiosks, commonly called bitcoin or cryptocurrency ATMs, after law enforcement and elder-advocacy volunteers described rising fraud tied to the machines.

Detective Nathan Van Cleave, sergeant of the financial crimes unit at the Evansville Police Department, told the council the department has documented a rising number of scams that use cryptocurrency kiosks to convert victims’ cash into digital currency that is then transferred to criminals. \"We have approximately 70 Bitcoin ATMs in Evansville,\" Van Cleave said. He said the department recorded about eight cases two years ago, 20 last year and 25 so far this year, with average losses of about $10,000 per victim.

The ordinance, filed as G 2025-19 (amended), creates Chapter 8.45 of the Evansville Municipal Code, titled \"Virtual Currency Kiosk.\" It requires operators or hosts of kiosks to display specified signage warning customers about fraud, provide a mandatory customer-service or help line, and maintain a direct channel of communication to assist the police with fraud investigations. The measure also establishes civil penalties that start at $100 and can increase for repeated violations, up to $500 at the same location, according to material presented to the council.

Vicky Small, team lead for AARP Indiana volunteers based in Evansville, urged passage and emphasized the effect on older residents. \"Criminals will impersonate a government official ... instructing them to take large amounts of cash and deposit the money into the crypto ATM,\" Small said, adding that, \"just this year alone, $278,000 has been scammed in our area alone by these ATMs.\" AARP representatives told the council they are working on complementary state-level legislation.

Speakers at the meeting said the local ordinance is modeled on measures enacted in other cities and states. Staff and counsel told the council the measure follows examples from several jurisdictions and, under the Indiana Home Rule Act, the council has authority to regulate within city limits while state-level legislation may later supersede local rules.

The council voted to adopt the amended ordinance by voice and formal tally. There were eight ayes, zero nays; the ordinance was declared adopted.

Council members and staff described the ordinance as an interim, local step intended to raise the bar for fraud prevention while state lawmakers pursue broader rules. The ordinance takes effect according to the adoption procedures in the municipal code and officials said it is intended to assist investigations and educate consumers.

The city clerk recorded the motion and adoption as part of the evening's consent and regular agenda actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Evansville Common Council voted 8-0 on Sept. 8 to adopt an ordinance creating rules for virtual currency kiosks after the police financial crimes unit and AARP volunteers described growing scams at cryptocurrency ATMs.","taxTitle","Evansville City, Vanderburgh County, Indiana","taxId",12506,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457215,"Evansville resident asks council to join regional review of proposed Henderson wind project",157,3466000,3623000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c&start=3466&end=3623","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c/thumbnail_3466000.jpg","/articles/6457215/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-resident-asks-council-to-join-regional-review-of-proposed-Henderson-wind-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457215-609e523a7850cd03fdfc239ce37cbdff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172174&Signature=GoXE1DfTNkMqUYEJYC2Il~APHl0yB~l0zWoG48bFjKiL4niQTC8P66PjHRozdUHZMOztF8JE76S8oxYpk51R~AmF4gmdIeoHud2xCdaGNfWvBGSxGYF6HE9PkeeInPcS-fL9gPcVb~4mi4EV2BPw1Tj-6Dqlxp-Anq0T-35374kFDdEz02ZEB-sBehyGonS~HEI-ogvQIfVc8NcQuW~E5Qc4cwfYNL-6cuL0uO1thdZQuyXfWRja4jCGLbQjG7RZs-cSgylHokjOuRSHVAGoauKpveEA~veqTEgqWd83f2~2lE3UzniMDbOsV309tnEsfTd3PCt890t9j8qjuqzUWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the Sept. 8 meeting, resident Joseph Horton asked the Evansville Common Council to participate in regional review of a proposed wind-energy project in Henderson County.

Horton said Cordelio Power, a Canadian-based company, has sought lease agreements and ordinance changes in parts of Henderson County that would allow turbines with a tip height of about 720 feet and potentially visible within 20 miles. Horton said recent public-records disclosures show communications between the company and local government and expressed concern that the project could have effects beyond Henderson, including interference with air-traffic-control radar and doppler weather radar and possible health effects referenced in some studies.

Horton said the Henderson County Planning Commission approved a two-year moratorium to allow a board to collect and re-evaluate data on the project, and he requested that Evansville consider appointing a representative to that board because the proposal’s footprint could affect the broader region.

No council action was recorded on the request during the meeting.","A Henderson-area resident urged the Evansville Common Council to send a representative to a Henderson board reviewing a proposed Cordelio Power wind project, citing potential visibility, radar interference and health concerns that could affect Evansville.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457220,"Evansville council approves $5.5 million transfer to launch city-run ambulance service and other budget moves",1922,1197000,3119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c&start=1197&end=3119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5894947-60e7e60f8db1c3d53755bb9d3c53621c/thumbnail_1197000.jpg","/articles/6457220/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-council-approves-55-million-transfer-to-launch-city-run-ambulance-service-and-other-budget-moves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457220-9182f3abb58f77f198120f5dbd2e6d79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172174&Signature=BG2x9z3puJQ3JmjQkX6LNQPIAQNbC5etm2AYtG7CvXb608ZEJ-2R~bEwYBZMZ2VL7k-56JGdUq73kToz~hmc1onLU4t7puQ1QAskflw2ugc1I8CKDckV03k5nH4tPQWeVYCT38Vgl38qWeNJMku9qfPk1iN2ED86Ay5hj8mbuS3JMrMTbpT1AOv3bCVehO4qpSpTBmBdjwBr4FnYZy~XZ5BCG0O3El3JsyGNRCkggntOH5rVyVlvi3L~q741gVQW4WX0bCYy4QTFphTxxgWwcOl7QPn4H3eEO~7CJ2YiqlQge1ODYjf5rz8Uzg72oLpoYzpVLhzvF3fXqEj5DviS1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evansville Common Council on Sept. 8 approved an amended finance ordinance authorizing multiple interdepartmental transfers and appropriations that include funds to start a city-operated ambulance service, additional police vehicles and increased support for animal control.

The council voted to adopt Ordinance F 2025-10 (amended) by a count of six ayes and one nay. Councilman Hieronymus stated he would vote no, citing concern about adding positions and uncertainties about future revenue.

City officials described the largest single item as an interfund transfer of $5,500,000 from the casino fund to purchase and equip 11 ambulances and related startup gear. Fire Chief Tony Knight said the appropriation covers 11 ambulances and major onboard equipment including cots, stair chairs, power-load devices and LifePak 35 heart monitors. The vehicles will be assigned to host houses across the city and can be moved as call volumes change; officials said they are also exploring leased-equipment options that could reduce upfront borrowing.

Chief Knight and controller Robert Gunter told the council the city will use a third-party billing agency to submit patient transport claims; revenue projections assume typical payer mixes (Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers) and negotiated reimbursement rates. Chief Knight said that if the city borrows the full $5.5 million, the note could be paid back in roughly 4 1/2 years under the current revenue assumptions. He said collections timing varies by payer and that some nonreimbursed amounts are treated as bad debt and accounted for in budget calculations.

The ordinance package included other items on the Sept. 8 agenda: a $1.8 million interfund transfer to the police department to complete a bond bank loan and allow an order for about 21 police vehicles; a transfer using opioid-related funds (approximately $125,000) for training previously designated for EPD; appropriations for animal-control vaccinations and boarding as the shelter manages a high intake of animals; and an appropriation to cover an unanticipated cloud-software invoice.

Council members questioned whether vacant salary lines were being used to fund repairs and operations; department leaders confirmed several of the transfers rely on vacant positions and other one-time or restricted funds. Controller Robert Gunter and department chiefs said vacant positions and timing of new hires created temporary salary savings that staff proposed reassigning to cover immediate needs.

During public comment, Lee Turpin, identified as a resident, urged the council to pause and study the proposal, warning that municipal EMS systems nationally often require large subsidies and can increase costs. \"Across the country, municipal EMS systems require millions in subsidies or tax increases just to stay afloat,\" Turpin said, and he urged the council to allow a study to play out before committing taxpayer funds. Chief Knight and other officials responded with details about recruitment (he said recent paramedic job postings drew 45 applicants) and repayment projections.

Corporation Counsel Sarah Dower reminded the council that revenue and payback figures discussed in the meeting were projections and therefore subject to change.

The council recorded the motion and adoption of Ordinance F 2025-10 (amended) during the meeting; the ordinance, as adopted, reallocates existing funds and authorizes the city to proceed with the purchases and appropriations described in the packet and in council discussion.","By a 6–1 vote on Sept. 8 the Evansville Common Council approved ordinance F 2025-10 (amended), authorizing multiple transfers and appropriations including a $5.5 million interfund transfer to purchase ambulances and equipment to start a municipal EMS service.","actionData","errors"]

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Evansville council adopts ordinance to regulate bitcoin ATMs after police warn of scams

Evansville resident asks council to join regional review of proposed Henderson wind project

Evansville council approves $5.5 million transfer to launch city-run ambulance service and other budget moves