The Daviess County Commissioners met Tuesday morning, with Vice President Michael Taylor presiding. Commissioner President Nathan Gabhart was absent. County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler reported that the Highway Department will begin accepting applications for dust control in April. Winkler also said that this will be the last year the county will provide the service. Winkler said that only 150 residents requested dust control last year, and it was no longer cost-effective for the county to offer the service. Winkler also reported that the Highway Department is advertising for bids on a new truck-mounted roadway striping unit. Winkler said that previously Daviess County had borrowed units from Dubois County, but that with increased traffic and increased road mileage, being able to rework faded roadway markings when needed is a safety issue.
In other business, the commissioners approved the annual application for the state’s Community Corrections Grant. They also approved the Health Department’s request to add a civil surgeon to the department’s fee schedule. County Health Nurse Kathy Sullender told the Commissioners that Doctor Holsopple had recently been certified as a civil surgeon, which allows him to perform health examinations for immigrants applying for citizenship or permanent residency.
The Commissioners approved a Disaster Emergency Declaration for those residents and businesses affected by flooding caused by the 5-inch rain the county received in March. County Emergency Management Director Scott Myers said this was the first step in the aid application for high water damage.
The next commissioner meeting will be at 8:15 a.m. on April 9. The disposal of the old county highway sand and salt barn is scheduled to be on the agenda.
