Daviess County Fiscal Court has decided to keep property tax rates the same as last year.
“This ordinance leaves all the ad valorem rates the same, with the real property rate being 13.4 cents per $100 of value,” said Treasurer Jim Hendrix.
For 2021, the tangible personal property rate will be 16.37 cents per $100 of value, while motor vehicle and watercraft rates through the County Clerk’s Office remain at 17 cents per $100 of value.
“After the last meeting, we had several comments on our Facebook page that implied we were increasing our tax rate,” said Judge-Executive Al Mattingly. “That is not the case. Our tax rate stays the same. And the tax rate is the only thing we have control over.”
“There was a comment made, ‘yeah, but the PVA is increasing property values.’ That is true. We do not control the property values the PVA sets. And the PVA is actually an employee of the state, following state guidelines and mandates.”
Commissioner Charlie Castlen added that the state has a specific set of rules to follow on assessments.
“They essentially do tests…analytics so to speak…that our values are in the spectrum they are supposed to be,” he said. “And there are penalties if they fail the test.”
In a separate agenda item, Fiscal Court passed a resolution establishing tax rates for the Green River District Health Department. At 4 cents per $100 of value, this rate remains unchanged from last year.
Budget Amendment
Fiscal Court had the first reading on a budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2022. It concerns the $200,000 in utility assistance from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act.
Treasurer Hendrix explained the funds were not budgeted, as the County expected to receive the assistance in the prior Fiscal Year.
“We had some snags with the Department for Local Government and utility purveyors…some additional requirements,” added Judge-Exec. Mattingly. “I am hoping we will have the money by this winter anyway for distribution through Audubon Area Community Services, Inc.”
The second reading on the budget amendment will occur at the September 2nd Fiscal Court meeting.
Owensboro Regional Recovery
Fiscal Court approved closeout documents and the application for next year’s CDBG funding to support Owensboro Regional Recovery (ORR). The men’s substance abuse recovery program is located on Veach Road and averages 100 tenants on a daily basis.
“Since February 2010, ORR has served over 2,000 men through its counseling program,” explained Tom Lovett with the Green River Area Development District (GRADD).
If approved, the $200,000 in CDBG funds would offset operational costs at ORR. Additional funding sources support the building utilities and housing for program participants.
Other News
Judge-Exec. Mattingly said the County is still awaiting a structural engineering report on the fire tower at Panther Creek Park.
Fiscal Court approved a contract for trash collection services at Daviess County Parks.
Bids were awarded for a new roll-off truck at the Transfer Station, a utility tractor for the Parks Department, two pickup trucks for the Road Department, an ATV for the Gun Club, and equipment for the spay neuter clinic at Animal Control.
Fiscal Court also rejected an earlier bid for a new excavator and will instead purchase the same equipment through the Kentucky State Master Agreement.
Judge-Exec. Mattingly congratulated Owensboro Eastern for winning the Cal Ripken 12U World Series.
Daviess County residents are invited to attend a public meeting about the proposed widening project on Fairview Drive, between Highway 54 and Settles Road. The meeting will be Thursday, August 26th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Highland Elementary School.
The Independence Bank Fireworks Festival is set for Saturday, September 4th at Panther Creek Park. Food vendors, inflatables, and pony rides will be available at 5 p.m. with live musical entertainment to follow. The free firework display will begin at 8:15 p.m. Bring your own chairs to enjoy the show.
