The Daviess County Commissioners reorganized at their first meeting of the year. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart will serve as president, Michael Taylor as vice president, and Ron Arnold as secretary. The commissioners will occupy the same positions for the County Board of Finance, while Taylor and Gabhart flip positions for the County Drainage Board. The Commissioners also voted to keep the current IT director, courthouse maintenance supervisor, veterans officer, highway department supervisor, weights and measures examiner, and county attorney in their positions. However, Commissioner Ron Arnold said he had problems retaining the current County Attorney and would append a written statement to the meeting minutes.
County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler reported that he has been in contact with the state regarding County Road 700 E, which was not replaced after being cut by a mine that went out of business. Winkler said that approximately one mile of road needs to be rebuilt. The Commissioners also accepted bids for farming county land near the airport and the highway garage.
Most of the discussion centered around financing the Commons project, which is to be located in downtown Washington. The Commissioners approved the revolving fund structure with the Economic Development Corporation for financing the project, but Commissioner Gabhart floated the idea of the County paying the entire city/county share of the project up-front in order to avoid interest costs. The city would then repay the county according to the revolving schedule. The idea would depend on approval by the County Council. In other business, the Commissioners approved amendments to county ordinances allowing for the change in precinct lines to reflect the most recent annexations by the City of Washington.
It was also announced that the Commissioners and Council will hold a combined meeting on January 24 to review proposed plans for the courthouse renovation.
