Daviess County Fiscal Court has awarded a contract bid to replace all existing voting machines and related equipment for the County Clerk’s Office.
The new voting system and software will cost roughly $346,000 from Harp Enterprises, Inc. and includes 56 voting tabulation units, 56 ADA ballot marking devices, 20 on-demand ballot printer units, and a central tabulation device.
“All equipment is compliant with the 2005 federal voting system standards and will provide vote casting, counting, and reporting for all state, federal, and local elections in the County,” said Assistant Treasurer Jordan Johnson.
The service contract, which also includes election expenses and ongoing maintenance, will run until December 31, 2029, a non-election year.
“It will give the Court the option to evaluate whether to replace the machines at that time or renegotiate the contract pricing,” Johnson added.
The County projects the total system life cost over eight years to be approximately $794,000, below the initial estimates for this project.
Pickleball Court Conversion at Yellow Creek Park
The tennis court at Yellow Creek Park will be resurfaced and converted into six pickleball courts next spring. The contractor will also resurface the basketball court on site.
Fiscal Court previously approved a plan to convert the tennis court at the Stanley Community Park to four pickleball courts. Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said the courts will be open and accessible to all players, with no restrictions.
Grant for Museum of Science & History
The Owensboro Museum of Science & History will receive a grant of up to $100,000 to enhance an indoor playground, known as the PlayZeum, and an adjacent hands-on science area.
“Sim and Sally Davenport have been great promoters of the Science & History museum and wonderful community citizens,” said Judge-Executive Al Mattingly. “I think the intent is to name these two exhibits after them.”
Trash for Cash
Fiscal Court approved a grant agreement for the 2022 Litter Abatement Program, better known as Trash for Cash.
“We don’t know how much money we will receive from the state yet,” said David Smith, Director of Legislative Services. “Typically, it’s in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. When we get that figure, then we can calculate how many roads and the price per mile that we are able to give out.”
Trash for Cash participants receive a minimum of $100 per centerline mile of roads cleaned. Interested non-profit groups can apply with the Solid Waste Department, starting on November 1st.
Funding for the litter abatement program is derived from the state’s “environmental remediation fee,” a charge of $1.75 per ton of garbage hauled to the county landfill and transfer station.
White Flag
Fiscal Court approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Owensboro and Owensboro Christian Church, regarding White Flag events for the upcoming winter months.
A White Flag event signals the opening of an overnight emergency shelter when the temperature and/or wind chill is 15 degrees or below from November 1 to March 31.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said the county and city will split the cost of security and provide transportation, free of charge, via the Owensboro Transit System. Meals will be available at the Daniel Pitino Shelter. Daviess County EMA provides notification and coordination of White Flag events.
Surplus Auction
Daviess County Fiscal Court will conduct a surplus auction on Tuesday, October 19th at 9 a.m.
The auction will feature vehicles, tractors, equipment, tools, wood, and other surplus items. Equipment may be viewed at the Daviess County Operations Center on Monday, October 18th.
Buyers must use cash or check for purchase, with all items paid in full the day of the sale. To see the handbill with a list of featured items, click here.
Other News:
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly proclaimed October 2021 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Fiscal Court approved an AmeriCorps host agency agreement, benefiting the Homeless Council of the Ohio Valley.
A regional Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement was approved related to Fire/Rescue services and related special operations, replacing a prior statewide agreement.
In approving the affiliation renewal for Daviess County Search & Rescue, Commissioner George Wathen expressed his thanks to the volunteers for their service and training.
Personnel:
Ladonna Melton will join Daviess County Animal Care & Control as Veterinarian Technician, effective October 25th.
Kandace Sturgeon has been promoted to Public Works Office Manager.
Dr. Wanda Figueroa has been appointed to the Drug Free Owensboro-Daviess County Steering Committee for a three-year term, from September 2021 to September 2024.
