The Daviess County Commissioners held their reorganizational meeting for 2026 Tuesday morning. Commissioner Michael Keith was chosen to be president, TC Cook will serve as vice president, and Nathan Gabhart, who has decided to not seek re-election, will serve his last year as a commissioner as secretary. The Commissioners also chose the same slate of officers for the County Drainage Board and the Board of Finance. The Commissioners also voted to retain Grant Swartzentruber as County Attorney, Chris Winkler as County Highway Department Supervisor, Tony Potts as Veterans Officer, Scott Schnarr as Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor, and Dale Qualkenbush as I.T. Director. Eric Walford was tentatively appointed as the County’s Weights and Measures examiner.
In other business, Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler told the Commissioners that the County had been awarded a full $1 million grant from INDOT’s Community Crossings Matching Grant Program. The Commissioners also received bids for asphalt in place for the 2026 paving season and tentatively accepted the low bid. The Commissioners also received one bid on two plots of farm ground on County Highway Department property. The commissioners discussed the desire to move the term of future contracts for the farm ground from three years to five years.
The Commissioners also received and approved use agreements for Washington’s Kiwanis Cabin and Montgomery’s Ruritan Building during the election process this year. County Clerk Lauren Milton also requested approval of. 4-year maintenance contract for the county’s voting machines. The Commissioners also approved grant applications from the Health Department for the Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program and the Sheriff’s Department for a DNR grant for trolling boats. The next Commissioners meeting is scheduled for January 27.
