The Daviess County Council has put no money in their proposed $32 million budget for the Daviess County Development Corporation or the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation Foundation.
According to the Washington Times Herald, (www.washtimesherald.com) the council and commissioners had an exchange at budget hearings this week about the issue. The paper reports that the county commissioners’ and EDC’s controversy began in 2016 after a State Board of Account audit when the Corporation and Foundation had identical contracts for $180,000 to work on projects. The state recommended the county cancel one of the contracts and the EDC provide more details and better paper trails on expenditures.
After that, the Commissioners offered a contract to the EDC which came back with some changes and unsigned.
County Council member Dave Smith was quoted as saying he thinks there are personal issues involved in the matter. He said the two sides need to talk and do what’s best for the county.
Currently the EDC board is looking for a new Executive Director before the end of the year. Ron Arnold resigned that position earlier this year.