Daviess County Fiscal Court is moving forward with implementation of a P-25 digital radio system for first responders.
Assistant Treasurer Jordan Johnson provided an update at the August 5th Fiscal Court meeting.
“The project has stayed within budget and on schedule,” Johnson said. “All system user equipment has been delivered, tested and programmed and is awaiting distribution and installation, once the system goes live.”
“Now in order for the system to go live, we require equipment on three tower sites within the county that will communicate with equipment at the central site of Radio Hill,” he added.
Fiscal Court approved lease agreements for two of the three radio tower sites.
- Vertical Bridge/VB-S1 Assets, LLC (Southern)
- Pup Creek/Tillman Infrastructure, LLC (Eastern)
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly explained the County was unable to reach an agreement with any existing tower operator in the west, with the cost more than double the other lease agreements.
Therefore, Fiscal Court will construct a third tower at the Landfill on property the County already owns.
“This 250-foot tower at the West Daviess County Landfill will complete the system.”
Following the testing of soil conditions, the County will finalize a location for the west tower and start the bidding process for construction.
Fiscal Court has approved an amended Professional Services Contract with Trott Communications in support of the public safety radio upgrade. The new digital system is expected to go live by late 2021 or early 2022. It will be more efficient and provide better coverage for emergency personnel.
Lease Agreement with FOTS Rescue
Daviess County Fiscal Court has approved a lease agreement with Friends of the Ohio County Animal Shelter, Inc. for the temporary use of the FOTS Rescue Clinic.
The lease agreement will allow the County to perform spay/neuter services, while the permanent clinic is constructed at the Daviess County Animal Shelter.
“Our new veterinarian, Dr. Julie Gray, is familiar with the clinic in Hartford, Kentucky,” said David Smith, Director of Legislative Services. “She has worked there before on off-days. This facility is ready to go. All we have to do is purchase the supplies we would normally buy for our building.”
Smith said the lease agreement covers a four-month term. It will then be renewable month-to-month, at the County’s discretion.
Design bids for the Daviess County spay/neuter clinic are scheduled to go out at the end of this month, with an award in late September.
Other News
Fiscal Court approved an encroachment permit with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for placement of a new weather siren pole at Roy Clark Road and Highway 144, between Thruston and Knottsville. The siren will be solar-powered with the ability to notify 370 address points of approaching storms.
The County will proceed with design services for the Kirtley Annex renovation. Assistant Treasurer Jordan Johnson said the renovation will result in additional office and storage space for the County Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Court approved a LWCF Agreement for the inclusive playground at Horse Fork Creek Park, a federal requirement to receive the matching grant funds.
Daviess County Parks & Recreation will be a host agency for the Senior Connections AmeriCorps program at Green River Area Development District (GRADD). The new AmeriCorps opportunity begins September 1st. A description of the position can be found here.
Fiscal Court awarded bids for surgical equipment at Animal Control, a single bale wrapper at the Landfill, shotgun ammunition, and a clay target support tower at the Gun Club.
Commissioners approved the preparation of an annual report, concerning the landfarming operation at the West Daviess County Landfill. The report is required by the state to monitor potential run-off.
Personnel
Tony Rowe has been hired as Seasonal Park Attendant.
Fiscal Court re-appointed the following members to the Daviess County Animal Care and Control Board for a four-year term, August 2021 – August 2025.
- Pattie Martin
- Dr. Patrick Marsh
- Rheonna Johnson
- Carol Alvey
First Reading – Adoption of Tax Rates
Fiscal Court had the first reading of an ordinance relating to the adoption of the 2021 Daviess County tax rates.
“After a review of both the current financial position for the County and our expected financial position for the next couple of years, the preference that was indicated to me…was to leave all the ad valorem rates the same as last year with no increase,” said County Treasurer Jim Hendrix.
“My opinion is that leaving the rates the same as last year will generate enough revenue to manage the Fiscal Year 2022 budget,” he added. “So I see no negative issue from that. I have prepared this tax ordinance with all the ad valorem rates staying the same as the prior year.”
Fiscal Court will hold a public hearing on the proposed tax rates at the August 19th meeting.
[Click here to view the public hearing notice]
*Per $100 of Value
Real Property
13.4 cents
Tangible Personal Property
16.37 cents
Motor Vehicle
17 cents
Watercraft
17 cents
