Daviess County Fiscal Court has approved a new Solid Waste rate schedule, effective on January 1, 2024.
County Treasurer Jordan Johnson reported that current rates are not adequate to fund operations and capital expenses without incurring debt sometime over the next three years.
“Given the projected deficit, we have adjusted the rate schedule to generate sufficient revenue for the Solid Waste Operating Fund to stay above the recommended reserve until at least Fiscal Year 2029-2030,” Johnson told the Court.
Minimum charges for small loads of solid waste that incur the minimum fee will increase $2 at each location.
“As far as what will affect the majority of local haulers, the Grimes Avenue Transfer Station would see an increase of $6.50 per ton for trash from $30.50 to $37,” Johnson said. “And an increase of $9.50 per ton for construction and demolition debris (CD&D) material from $30.50 to $40.”
The West Daviess County Landfill will see an increase of $4.50 per ton for trash from $25.50 to $30, and $3.50 per ton for CD&D material from $19.50 to $23.
“Schedule I remains as a 10 percent discount to volume haulers who bring 500 tons per month or more to the Landfill or Transfer Station,” he added. “Schedule II has been dissolved as it no longer serves its initial purpose.”
The Solid Waste Department has also assigned higher fees for out-of-county material and adjusted rates for infrequent material that does not fit the classification for trash or CD&D.
Johnson said the County wanted to announce the new rate schedule now to give local residents and haulers a six-month notice before the changes begin.
“The rates have not been adjusted since November of 2011,” he concluded. “Even under the proposed increases, Daviess County remains the least expensive operation within a 50-mile radius, per the landfill management assessment.”
Click here to view the updated rate schedule that begins on January 1, 2024.
Other News
Daviess County Fiscal Court will begin a dialogue with the City of Owensboro on the Memorandum of Agreement for Consolidated 911 Operations. Specifically, they will address recruitment and retention of dispatchers and discuss the functions of the 911 Dispatch Center with the user agencies. Additionally, a review will be performed of the funding mechanism that allocates costs between the city and county.
Fiscal Court has approved the new roadway resurfacing list, totaling more than 19 miles. Major repaving projects include sections of Graves Lane, Stillhouse Road, Ray Road, Redhill-Maxwell Road, Old Lyddane Bridge Road, and Hayden Bridge Road. Click here to view the complete list.
Fiscal Court approved a new salary schedule for 2023/2024 that includes a 6.5 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for county employees and adjustments to three positions in the Solid Waste Department, in order to improve recruitment and retention.
The Daviess County Water District requested an increase for commissioner salaries. As approved, each of the six commissioners will receive a bump of $600 per year to $3,600.
A new Memorandum of Agreement has been signed with the state for reimbursement of expenses incurred by the child support division of the County Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Court will also be reimbursed for new video arraignment equipment at the Detention Center, as the state pursued a single product solution for the virtual court system under House Bill 1.
A new lease agreement was approved for the Little Hurricane Boat Ramp, with the initial term from June 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024. Two additional one-year extensions are possible with Hurricane Marina LLC.
Bids were awarded for two zero turn mowers and two RTV units at the Parks Department.
Personnel
Jennifer Warren will become Office/Events Coordinator for the Daviess County Parks Department.
Brooke Hagan has been promoted to Fiscal Court Clerk, with the county advertising for a new administrative assistant.
Gabriel Owens and Helena Wilkerson have been hired as part-time Animal Control Attendants.
Marcus Brown will join the Solid Waste Department as a Laborer at the West Daviess County Landfill.
Next Meeting
Daviess County Fiscal Court will meet on Friday, June 30 at Noon.
