Skip to content

Water Line Project to Improve Fire Protection

The East Daviess County Water Association (EDCWA) will receive approximately $850,000 for a water line replacement project that will improve fire protection.

The new six-inch line will run along Short Station Road and Jack Hinton Road between Knottsville and Philpot.

Daviess County Fiscal Court will secure the grant money for the project from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA).  The funding derives from the $250 million Cleaner Water Program established with the state’s ARPA allocation in Senate Bill 36.

In total, Daviess County received $3.7 million from this program, with Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman presenting the ceremonial checks in March.  Click here to see a list of the grants.

“We are nearing the end of the water modeling study from Strand Associates,” said David Smith, Director of Legislative Services.  “The Court would like to see the ARPA money go to increasing fire protection and you need six-inch water lines for fire protection.  We know this is a fast growing area, so we believe Strand will say this is a good place to invest.”

Strand will deliver a hydraulic model of the Daviess County Water District and the area served by the City of Whitesville’s Water Department.

The study will also include recommendations on how to extend better fire protection into the East County Water Association and the Ohio County Water Service Area.

“They came this week to perform hydrant testing,” Smith said.  “So they are nearing the end.  They already have the model built, they are testing the model now.”

The hydraulic model will be invaluable as the County evaluates how to spend grant dollars in the future.

The General Assembly has already set aside another $250 million for drinking water and wastewater investment projects.  Daviess County will receive a similar allocation of $3.7 million next year.

“This shows the importance of doing the study and being prepared, so that when the money is available, they won’t pass us by and go somewhere else,” said Judge-Executive Al Mattingly.

Passage of Annual Budget

Daviess County Fiscal Court had second reading and passage of the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget.

“The budget assumes no new taxes, no new debt, and no tax increases,” announced Treasurer Jim Hendrix.  “Also, in the fourth year of the term, Fiscal Court is limited to the 65 percent rule, which states the Court may neither encumber nor expend more than 65 percent of any fund.”

The County requested two exemptions from this limit, which the state approved.  The first concerns the cell construction at the Landfill, where a new liner will be installed later this year.

“We can’t split the liner into two and waiting until January pushes us up against the capacity limit,” Hendrix explained.  “And there’s no reason to wait on the construction.”

The state also exempted the expenditure of the federal ARPA funds.  Click here to review the budget.

Broadband Update

Assistant Treasurer Jordan Johnson reported that Conexon is finalizing their preliminary design and engineering work for the fiber optic network in Daviess County.  The project is expected to serve 15,000 to 20,000 business and household locations within the next 18 months.

“They are putting the finishing touches on a build out plan with their subcontractors,” he said.

Conexon will have several starting points in the County with internet service available to some residents as soon as this fall.

[PREVIOUS: Conexon Presents on Broadband Expansion Project]

Other News

Fiscal Court approved an amended agreement for the inmate phone service at the Daviess County Detention Center.

Stuart Snow will provide the fireworks display on Labor Day weekend at Panther Creek Park.

New LED surgery lights were approved for the spay/neuter clinic at Daviess County Animal Care & Control.

The County will seek a Waste Tire Grant to assist with the removal and recycling of old tires discovered by the Road Department.

Fiscal Court approved a surety bond release for the Deer Valley subdivision in Section 4, Unit 3.

Annual bids were awarded for janitorial services at the Judicial Center & County Administrative Facilities, along with concrete crushing, wood grinding, culvert pipe, and fire rescue uniforms.

Fiscal Court renewed bids for pavement striping, tire repair, bulk delivered fuel, recycling services, and county uniforms, while rejecting a bid for ready-mix concrete.

Personnel

David Lopez will join the Daviess County Road Department as Heavy Equipment Operator.

Next Meeting

Daviess County Fiscal Court will meet on Thursday, June 16 at 5 p.m. in the second floor Courtroom.


Having trouble opening PDFs? Download Adobe Reader here.

Daviess County Kentucky

Install Daviess County Kentucky

Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.

Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”