The Daviess County Council approved funding to allow the County Health Department to continue to replace AED defibrillators at local churches and organizations. Health Department administrator Kelly Streeter told the Council there are 137 AED machines located in area churches, the YMCA, government buildings, and emergency vehicles. The Health Department has used its ability to purchase lower-cost replacements for aging machines with the church or other facility, then reimbursing the Health Department for the cost of the replacement.
Also approved was the Health Department’s request to use cash reserves for clinical supplies and medical waste disposal and funds for training for Eric Wolford as the county’s new Weights and Measures inspector.
The Council also approved Emergency Management Director Scott Myers’ request for $32,432 to apply for a state-mandated grant to evaluate the county’s emergency needs exposure. The emergency response update is mandated by FEMA and state regulations.
The main topic of discussion was a request from Nathan Rihm for $60,000 to help West Boggs Park meet the required match for a grant to provide treatment to mitigate the chronic algae problem at Boggs Lake. Rihm told the Council that traditional algae control methods are not effective at Boggs Lake. The grant requires a $100,000 match, and the park can come up with $40,000. Rihm said the park attracts 72,000 individual visitors to the Daviess-Martin County area each year. Rihm explained methods the park uses to improve water quality at the lake but said they are expensive. After discussion, the Council approved the funds for the grant match.
