The Daviess County Council held a rare combined meeting with county commissioners Wednesday morning and heard an update on the Daviess County Visitors Bureau’s marketing plan. Visitors Bureau Executive Director Amber Werden outlined the bureau’s public relations plans, expanded events calendar, and future plans. The Visitors Bureau is funded through the county’s in-keepers tax, which is paid by visitors staying in hotels and bed and breakfast facilities located in Daviess County. For more information, go to the Daviess County Visitors Bureau website at www.visitdaviesscounty.com
During their individual business session, the county commissioners opened the Highway Department’s CCMG asphalt bids and awarded the contract to the lowest bidder. In other business, the commissioners declined to support the health department’s request to apply for a grant to purchase a mobile health unit. The commissioners voiced concerns about unknown auxiliary costs and other unknown future costs.
The County Council opened their portion of the meeting with a public hearing on the confirmatory resolution for tax abatement for WestGate RCE. With no opposing comments, the council approved the resolution. In regular business, the council approved spending this year’s funds designated for the courthouse renovation. Commissioner Nathan Gabhart reported that the project remains on time and under budget. Gabhart also reaffirmed that the project should be completed in May, with the move of offices back to the courthouse in June.
In other business, the council approved highway department overtime pay for the snow removal for the winter storms. The council also approved additional appropriations for court interpreters. One trial in the Superior Court is a felony trial and is expected to last two weeks. The council also approved an additional request from the circuit court for psychiatric services to determine a defendant’s mental state. The council also appropriated grant funds received by the coroner’s office and the health department.
