Employee retention continues to be a concern for the Daviess County Council. Community Corrections Director Laura Petty requested a raise in the base pay for caseworkers after seeing two employees resign in the past few weeks. Other offices have also seen a turnover in staff members. To combat the trend, the Council adopted a recommendation from the wage and salary committee to give all county employees a 4% raise in the 2024 budget.
The Council also received the text of an economic development agreement with five companies moving into the Westgate site. Final action on the agreements will be taken after the companies have signed the contracts.
In other economic development action, the Council approved the continuation of tax abatement for all but one of the companies currently receiving property tax abatements. The lone exception was tabled until the next meeting due to incomplete information on its report form.
In other business, the Council approved requests for an additional appropriation for juror expenses and depositions for the Superior Court. Judge Dean Sobecki told the Council that the number of jury trials had increased, and the court’s docket has a trial in which the defendant is facing nine counts of child abuse. The judge told the council that a panel of 90 potential jurors would be called due to the nature of the trial. The Council also approved a request from the sheriff’s department to purchase two vehicles that are currently available instead of waiting until next year. The purchase of the vehicles will be removed from next year’s budget. The coroner’s office has already depleted this year’s budget and received an additional appropriation of $3,300 to cover future expenses for the rest of the year.
The Council also received a report on the Purdue Extension office. Luis Santiago reviewed changes in personnel with the retirement of Jane Ann Beard and the addition of Wes Richardson to the staff. Santiago also told the Council about the Extension Offices engagement in outreach to all members of the community and their coordination with the Health Department and United Way to help reach community members who might not be aware of Extension Office services. Santiago also reminded county residents that the annual 4H Fair is scheduled for July 10 through July 21 at the Fairgrounds at Eastside Park.
