The Daviess County Council received an economic development request at Wednesday morning’s regular meeting. J. Wagler Family Properties presented an abatement request for property located at the I-69/State Road 58 interchange near North Daviess High School. The Waglers are planning to build a machine shop to service the needs of Crane Naval Support Activity and to provide machinist training in conjunction with area high schools. The application is for abatements on both real and personal property. The council is favorable toward the project but tabled action to determine how recent changes in state regulations affect abatements on personal property. The Council also heard the annual report of the Sheriff Department’s Retirement Plan from Sheriff Gary Allison and German American Bank. While most county employees’ retirement is covered by Indiana’s Public Employees Retirement Fund, state law mandates a separate retirement fund for police agencies and fire departments. In financial business, the council heard a request from Circuit Court Judge Greg Smith for the addition of an additional court reporter for the circuit court. Judge Smith said growth in the caseload in the Circuit Court calls for an additional court reporter. The Council approved the request through the end of the year with the need for the added position to be re-examined at the budget hearings in August. In other business, the Council appropriated Opioid Settlement Funds at the request of Community Corrections Supervisor Laura Petty, approved funding for the county ambulance service, and approved a $1,070,000 funding match for state road and bridge grants. The Council also approved an emergency request from the Health Department for $5,600 to replace the department’s refrigerated storage unit for vaccines. Health Department Administrator Kelly Streeter told the Council the previous unit had unexpectedly died. Fortunately, no vaccines were lost when the unit quit functioning. The Council also approved West Boggs Park’s request for the expenditure of budgeted non-tax funds for equipment repair. The next County Council meeting is scheduled for May 13.
