The Daviess County Commissioner met with only a few items on their agenda Tuesday morning. County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler presented contracts for replacing guardrails at West Boggs on County Road 1200 East. Winkler also presented documents to be signed for preliminary engineering on the proposed roundabout and bridge maintenance on old Hwy 50 west of Washington. Winkler also said the Highway Department is working on an interlocal agreement with the Town of Odon and the West Street project. Winkler also told the commissioners that Odon submitted incomplete information on previous work on the project, which caused a delay in county funding.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with Integrated Reentry and Correctional Support (IRACS), approved allowing the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation to use county right of way for signage in the Westgate area, and heard a report from RTC on its industrial development zone abatement. RTC representatives told the commissioners they currently serve 77% of the county with immediate plans to expand to 87% coverage. Commissioner Ron Arnold asked about RTC moving into Elnora. RTC said that rural expansion costs approximately $80,000 per mile, and while Elnora is in their plans, it will be a very expensive project.
The commissioners also approved two contracts presented by the Sheriff’s Department. One contract was with Summit Foods. The second contract is with Motorola for software for the department’s two drones. Chief Deputy Steve Sturgis told the commissioners that the larger drone was for outdoor use and would aid in faster search capabilities. The smaller drone is equipped to be used indoors to help officers determine interior layouts of structures. Sturgis said the contracts would be funded through the Sheriff’s Commission Fund.
In the last item of business, County Clerk Lauren Milton asked for approval of a contract with Tom’s Moving to assist with the moving of 62 voting machines to the county’s 8 vote centers in time for early voting and the general election. Milton said the logistics of moving the machines at the needed times required using outside help. The next commissioner’s meeting is scheduled for 8:15 am on September 10.
