Daviess County Fiscal Court will apply for utility assistance, as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act.
The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) will administer the application on the County’s behalf. If approved by the state, the County would be eligible for a grant award up to $200,000.
Those funds would be available to Daviess County residents, outside the city limits of Owensboro and Whitesville, who are behind on their utility bills due to COVID-19 related issues.
“If we are awarded the grant, it is my intention and I hope the Court’s intention to go to Audubon Area Community Services and have them act as our agent,” explained Judge-Executive Al Mattingly. “They also distribute local income assistance for heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. They already have a client base and know how to do it.”
At this time, it is uncertain when the County may receive the funding. Mattingly said the assistance could go toward natural gas, electric, water and/or sewer service.
Flood Hazard Mapping Study
Fiscal Court approved a contract and reimbursement agreement with AECOM for a two-dimensional analysis of the Big Ditch/Goetz Ditch/Carter Ditch watershed area. The contract calls for AECOM to prepare flood hazard maps and coordinate a preliminary appeal to FEMA.
“That’s a very particular situation out there at Carter Road and Goetz Ditch,” explained County Engineer Mark Brasher. “Their model shows a dramatic increase in base flood elevation in that area. We believe a two dimensional model will give us a better, more accurate analysis of how those two systems work together.”
Brasher said a private entity has requested a similar 2D analysis by the same firm to the south of this area.
“So this is going to be done at the same time, where we can tie those two together by the same firm to get the best results we can,” he added. “Obviously, this is going to affect some interest the County has in the Air Park Industrial area.”
Brasher said FEMA/Kentucky Division of Water would be conducting public hearings on the flood maps in the next few months, followed by an appeals period.
The County Engineer is hopeful the updated modeling will be complete within the appeals period.
“There’s no guarantee this will change anything,” said Judge-Executive Al Mattingly. “But any change…any lowering whatsoever would reduce the cost of flood insurance.”
Wimsatt Court Connector
Fiscal Court approved a commitment to take over a new connector road for Wimsatt Court, once it is built by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
KYTC has a project underway to improve Highway 54, from West of US 60 to CR 1021 (Jack Hinton Rd.). The project will require KYTC to construct a connector from Wimsatt Court to the Gateway Commons development.
The connector road will provide another access point for the residential subdivision.
Other News:
Fiscal Court awarded bids for the following items:
- New garage to house the backhoe at the East Transfer Station on Floral Road
- Renovation and expansion of the administrative office at the West Daviess County Landfill
- Portable Radio Interoperability Gateway, a device allowing first responders to communicate over their radio system regardless of variances such as frequency, brand or model, used for large disasters, trainings and/or events
- Sign posts and fittings
Fiscal Court had the first reading of an ordinance relating to the Daviess County Road, Bridge, and Street System. County Engineer Mark Brasher explained it’s an annual update of the road index. There are several subdivisions under development at the present time. Brasher said the County added a mile or two of roadway overall.
Gavin Cecil will be hired as Service Technician, upon successful completion of pre-employment screening.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly noted significant progress in the fight against COVID-19, with only nine cases reported in the County on Thursday, March 4th. It was the first single-digit day since the beginning of September.
