The Daviess County Commissioners worked through a crowded agenda Tuesday morning. Derek Whalen of Garmong Construction Services led off the meeting with a report on the courthouse renovation. Whalen reported that their re-roofing was near completion and that the HVAC unit had been installed. Window replacement should begin next week and last about a month. Whalen said they are working on potential lead-time problems for receiving the main electric intake panel. The renovation remains on budget and on schedule for completion in May.
In regular business, the commissioners voted to accept all bids for next year’s supplies for the Highway Department. The commissions then heard a report on the required wide bridge inspection. Ronald Munoz from SJCA told the commissioners that Daviess was better than most counties and no bridges received a poor rating. However, the county has several bridges that will require replacement or renovation within the next ten years. The main bridge needing rehabilitation is Bridge 95 near Ragelsville. Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler recommended the county start putting funds aside for the construction project, with a construction date of 2030. The commissioners also agreed to a contract with Lochmueller Group to work on the project. The Commissioners also gave a one-time okay, allowing the Highway Department to help pave a small parking lot at West Boggs Park.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a request from Central Dispatch to apply for a grant that would provide the system the capability to use GPS locations to respond to emergency requests. The Commissioners also approved an interlocal agreement for Emergency Management Services with the City of Washington and, with Commissioner Ron Arnold opposed, approved a contract between the Visitors Bureau and the Economic Development Corporation on a 2-1 vote.
At the end of the meeting, the commissioners discussed the need to raise the fee for buggy permits. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart said that buggy used paved roads only last half as long as roads used primarily by automobiles due to damage from horseshoes. Gabhart said the County Highway is putting together costs of maintaining buggy used roads, but he feels buggy permit fees need to be a minimum of $195. The Commissioners also voted to hold their next meeting on Monday, Nov. 25.
