The Daviess County Commissioners met with a busy agenda Tuesday morning. The commissioners first approved the purchase of two dump trucks for the highway department in the amount of $192,286. The board then reviewed bids for three houses in the CDBG Rehabilitation Housing Program. No action was taken.
The commissioners also heard details on a pilot program for jail inmates. The Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support Program is designed to help inmates reintegrate into society through education and mental healthcare. Daviess County is among only 4 other counties chosen by the state to pilot this program which will be funded through grant dollars. There were concerns from the county regarding IT security and long-term funding, however, the commissioners did agree to move forward with the project. Contracted employees will work out of the jail and the program will run though July 5th of next year.
In other business, the board approved a contract with RQAW for Courthouse renovation designs and heard from Hoosier Insurance on the county’s annual renewal. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart also gave an update on the proposed blighted property ordinance. The ordinance is very similar to the one Knox County currently has in place. Approval will be made once commissioners approve the hire of a blighted property control officer. The board hopes to have that appointment confirmed by August 1st, but it will be dependent on the quality of candidates.
In personnel action, the commissioners appointed Daniel McCarthy to the Daviess Community Hospital Board.