The Daviess County Commissioners moved forward with a grant request for the Old Highway 50 project west of Washington. With Commissioners Michael Taylor and Ron Arnold emphasizing the importance of the project, they voted to sign a contract with Lochmueller Group to prepare the grant documents. In a related matter, the Commissioners tabled consideration of a grant application to replace the superstructure for County Bridge 95, which spans the North Branch of Prairie Creek on County Road 975 N. The commissioners want to be sure that applying for a grant for the bridge repair will not affect getting the grant for the US 50 project.
In other regular business, the Commissioners approved a request from County Clerk Lauren Milton to apply for a Secretary of State’s Election Security Grant. The Commissioners also tentatively approved the transfer of ownership of the Osborn Cemetery on County Road 550 N to the First Mennonite Church of Montgomery. The approval is subject to an investigation of the details by County Attorney Grant Swartzentruber. The commissioners also announced that bid requests for the courthouse renovation project have been sent out. Bids will be opened at a special meeting at 2 p.m. on October 27.
In other business, Michelle Carrico of the SIEDC held a public hearing on the grant application by Daviess County EMS for a new EMS quarters building. Hospital and EMS staff said the new building would increase response time. Currently, EMS staff is housed on the third floor of the hospital, causing a slower response time. The new building is planned to be built at 1411 Bedford Road and to be ready for occupancy in the summer of 2025.
