The Daviess County Commissioners reported Tuesday morning that the county courts, the county clerk, probation, and prosecutors offices are in the process of making a smooth transition back to the newly renovated courthouse. The courts are back in the courthouse, with the other departments following at weekly intervals. The commissioners have scheduled a ribbon cutting for the courthouse project in the courthouse lobby at 3 p.m. on September 16. Following the ceremony, the public can tour the remodeled courthouse and office until 4:30 pm. More information on the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be announced over the next few weeks.
In regular business, County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler reported that the recent weather has set back the reopening of the bridge on Old U.S. 50 west of Washington. Winkler said the bridge was originally scheduled to open on July 27, but the recent heavy rains and flooding have set the schedule back about 10 days. Winkler also said that the recent heavy rains have resulted in some ditches on private property that have not been adequately maintained flooding neighboring property and roads. Winkler said that the Highway Department has received calls about the ditches, but since they are on private property, there is not much the county can do. Winkler also said the recent weather has affected the county’s road maintenance schedule. The commissioners approved Winkler’s request to purchase a new lawnmower for the Highway Department and to apply for a grant to help replace the bridge east of Raglesville.
The commissioners also approved a request from Amber Warden of the Visitors Bureau to apply for a feasibility studies grant. Warden’s request to contract for collection of information about out-of-county visitors was tabled for more information. The commissioners also approved the Visitors Bureau’s plans to use the Bicentennial Bison as part of the celebration of next year’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of independence.
In other business, the commissioners heard the quarterly report from Daviess.
County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Bob Grew received a request for guidance from County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender. Sullender reported that with recent budget cuts by the state legislature, the Health Department no longer had funds to maintain the county’s automated external defibrillators. The AEDs are important equipment for treating people suffering cardiac emergencies. The Health Department has maintained the county’s AED units in the past but no longer has funds to replace the pads and battery after emergency use. The commissioners called the AED units important emergency equipment and agreed to look into how to deal with maintenance in the future.
At the end of the meeting, the commissioners voted to return to a 9:00 a.m. start time for meetings beginning with the first meeting in August.
