After over a year of sharing meeting and office space in the Daviess County Government Center, the County Courts, County Clerks and Prosecutor’s Offices, and the Probation Department have moved back to the newly remodeled and updated courthouse and the County Commissioners have returned to their traditional 9:00 a.m. start time for their regular meetings. Commissioner Michael Keith reported the move has been completed and with the exception of a few minor glitches everything is running smoothly. Keith reminded everyone that the ribbon cutting for the courthouse is scheduled for September 16, followed by the opportunity for Daviess County residents to walk through the courthouse and see the results of the remodeling project.
In regular business, the Commissioners heard the regular update from Kent Parisian on the WestGate Tech Park. Parisian told the Commissioners that several groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings are on tap over the next few weeks. He also discussed upgrades in infrastructure and security systems at the Tech Park.
County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler reported on work on the bridge on old U.S. 50, west of Washington. Winkler said that the Highway Department will keep Old 50 closed to through traffic from CR 150 W to CR 300 W for milling and resurfacing. Winkler also said that the Highway Department had placed “school zone” signs near all schools in Daviess County. He reposted there are 17 Amish, Mennonite, or private schools in the county. Winkler and the Commissioners also discussed County Road 200 N, and problems getting it returned to service. The Commissioners voted to allow a 30 day extension on the road, while continuing to work with the coal company on bonding to pay for the rebuilding of the road. Winkler also reported that the State will be holding a meeting with affected property owners about the reclamation of the Billings mine on the east side of the county.
The Commissioners also heard a report from RTC. RTC representatives told the commissioners that they now provide fiber optic service to more than 14,000 residences and businesses in Daviess County. This is about 80% of the residences in the county. RTC is looking at pushing that number to over 90% in the next couple of years.
The Commissioners also approved a request from West Boggs Park to apply for a $19,900 grant for the park’s beach house and playground areas. They also approved an Emergency Management agreement with the City of Washington. With Commissiiner Nathan Gabhart absent, and Commissiomers Keith and Cook divided on the issue, a discussion of a Placer.AI contract request from the Tourism Bureau was tabled to the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Daviess County Commissioner is scheduled for 9 a.m., August 26, in the Commissioners Room at the Government Center.
