The Daviess County Commissioners met for their first meeting of 2024 on Tuesday morning. They kept the same slate of officers: Nathan Gabhart as president, Michael Taylor as vice president, and Ron Arnold as secretary. The same officers will serve on the County Drainage Board and the County Board of Finance. The commissioners also approved continuing the appointments of the county attorney, maintenance supervisor, IT director, veterans officer, highway department supervisor, and weights and measures inspector.
County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler discussed the restructuring of the Highway Department and introduced Asst. Highway Supervisor Rick Graber, Road Foreman Tony Fuhs, and Bridge Foreman Jason Ochs to the Commissioners. Winkler then introduced Michael Stevens of JCGA, who discussed county bridge weight ratings based on INDOT regulations and how the number of axels on a truck may affect the load limit. The commissioners asked for detailed information at their next meeting.
Winkler also presented INDOT’s proposed detours for projects in the county. INDOT will be closing Troy Road south of U.S. 50 for six days to replace a culvert. INDOT will also be working on SR 358 near Elnora. The work will take up to 30 days. The commissioners agreed to allow County Road 1400 N to be used as a detour.
At the end of the meeting, the county attorney told the commissioners that Friday was the deadline for bids on bonds for the courthouse renovation. Interest rates on the bonds should be known sometime today or tomorrow.
The next commissioners meeting is scheduled for January 23.
