Commissioners set groundbreaking date for Annex construction and hear from concerning bycyclists

 The official groundbreaking for the Courthouse Annex project was tentatively set for March 12, at 10 a.m.   the Daviess County Commissioners heard reports from project architect Jonathan LaMar and owner’s representative Michael Schapker at Tuesday’s Commissioners Meeting.   Schapker continued the string of good news on the project.  He told the Commissioners that the cost of the structural inspection of the steel and concrete used in the project will be less than expected.  Schapker said the actual cost to to the structural testing would be in the neighborhood of $30,000 instead of the $45,000 initially budgeted.  

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        The Daviess County Commissioners have revamped the insurance committee by making the County’s insurance broker an advisory member of the committee instead of a voting member.  The County will begin advertising for quotes for the County’s insurance packages with Commissioners President Nathan Gabhart as the County’s contact.  Gabhart said this is new for the County and Commissioners “ are hammering out the process as we go”. 

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       In other business, the Commissioners heard from representatives from Daviess County Actives. They are concerned about bicycle and pedestrian safety on the County’s roads.   Pointing to a growing population of cyclists in the county, and the attraction Daviess County’s hills, roads, and scenery has for visitors from out of the area.  The group proposed road makings and signage to make motorists aware of possibly meeting cyclists.   The group offered to help with designating bicycle routes and assisting safety education.  

         The Commissioners also…

-Voted to maintain the Cumulative Capital Development tax rate at its current level.

-Agreed to a $3 shipping and handling fee for buggy plates mailed from the Highway Department.

-Signed an interlocal agreement with Knox County to trade some of the Daviess County’s excess asphalt for brine tanks and pumps.  

     

                Also, County Highway Engineer Jason Heile said the 15th Street Bridge project could get under way this week.  Heile said Washington’s current overhead bridge could be closed as early as next week.