The Daviess County Commissioners learned that dangerous practices are raising their heads in the county. County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler reported that eight stop signs had been knocked down, creating danger for motorists on the rural roads. Winkler said it appeared that a truck had knocked down the posts in an attempt to steal the stop signs. Sheriff Gary Allison said that anyone caught knocking signs could be charged with criminal mischief.
Winkler also reported that crews are busy clearing the log jam under the Portersville Bridge. The cost of the work is being split with Dubois County. The commissioners also gave Winkler the okay to look into the purchase of equipment to give the county the ability to do its own road markings.
The Commissioners also approved contracts for auxiliary equipment and technology for Central Dispatch, a memorandum of understanding with IRACS, and an interlocal agreement with the City of Washington for the Animal Shelter.
In other business, the commissioners approved an updated fee schedule for the County Health Department. County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender also told the commissioners that since the COVID vaccine has been commercialized and is now available in pharmacies and physician offices, the county can no longer afford to provide the COVID vaccine for the general population.
Due to the ongoing extremely dry conditions, the commissioners gave Emergency Management Director Scott Myers the authority to impose a burn ban on all open burning. Several counties have already imposed burn bans, and Myers told the commissioners that he expects most southwestern Indiana counties to have bans in place by the end of the week. Myers said he does expect the 2/10 to 4/10 of an inch of rain expected today and tomorrow to make a significant difference in the very dry conditions.
At the end of the meeting, Elnora resident Heather Bergslen complained about the budget process in Elnora. Bergslen said that the town budget lines were inflated and that open budget hearings were not held, and she had filed a complaint with the State of Indiana. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart said he would forward the complaint to the County Council.
