I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and was able to spend some time resting, recharging, and being with the people who matter most.

As we head into the final days of the year, I’ve found myself doing a lot of reflecting, both on the year behind us, and on the people who made it possible.

At our final Cabinet meeting this year, I asked each city department to share one of their favorite moments or accomplishments from the past year. It wasn’t a performance review or a highlight reel; it was just a chance to pause and recognize the work that often happens quietly, behind the scenes, but makes a real difference in our community.

What I heard was a reminder of how much care, creativity, and pride our city employees bring to their work every day.

Here are just a few of the moments they shared:

• Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden celebrated a record-breaking year, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors. Their Wild Summer Lights lantern event alone drew more than 50,000 people, turning the zoo into a place of wonder for families from across the region.
• The Building Commission talked about something that doesn’t show up in a press release, but matters deeply: improved morale. A stronger, more supported team means better service for our residents, and that’s something to celebrate.
• The Evansville Climate Collaborative highlighted the rollout of Evansville’s 2025 Climate Action Plan, which updates and strengthens the original 2020 plan and positions our city to be more resilient and forward-looking.
• The Department of Metropolitan Development shared progress that directly affects quality of life: more than 800 new housing units and 200 housing rehabs currently in the works.
• Information Technology reported meaningful cost reductions this year, which is a great reminder that government efficiency matters, and that smart investments can save taxpayer dollars.
• Our City Engineer’s Office pointed to the reconstruction of Boeke Road near Wesselman Park, improving safety for both pedestrians and drivers in a high-traffic area.
• Parks & Recreation celebrated new amenities that local families are already enjoying, including the Activity Zone at Garvin Park and the new splash pad at Tepe Park.
• The City Controller’s Office shared how they reduced overall costs and brought more work in-house, strengthening financial stewardship across city government.
• The Department of Street Maintenance reflected on their response to January’s winter storm, when crews worked long hours to keep roads as safe and passable as possible.
• METS highlighted a major operational win: launching its own Driver Trainer Program, which passed audit and now allows METS to train drivers locally instead of relying on outside providers.