[0:05] Good afternoon. >> [snorts and clears throat]

[0:05] » Excuse me, good afternoon. I'd like to call this meeting of the Davis County

[0:08] Fiscal Court to order. Today is August 27, 2026.

[0:14] Commissioner Castle, would you lead us in the prayer and the pledge, please?

[0:16] Would you lead us in the prayer and the pledge, please?

[0:19] » Yes. Please stand if you're able.

[0:23] I'd ask that you bow your head and pray with me.

[0:26] God in heaven, thank

[0:31] As we gather today, we pray for those whose lives have been altered or changed

[0:36] by the power of nature. The devastation that has occurred in

[0:40] places such as Nepal is a strong reminder of how important each day is

[0:45] and how fragile our world can be. It also reminds us that as we see those

[0:50] who rush to help their fellow people, what we do for others matters.

[0:55] Please help those affected by this and other devastating events to find

[0:59] strength in you and strength from the support of your people.

[1:04] Please help us tonight as a community to be supportive of and for one another and

[1:09] to follow in the way you're guiding us. As Mother Teresa once said,

[1:14] "Love begins by taking care of the closest ones, the ones at home."

[1:19] In your name we pray. Amen.

[1:24] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

[1:28] and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with

[1:34] liberty and justice for all.

[1:41] » Just for those For those who are watching from home and those here in the

[1:46] audience, Commissioner Marksberry is zooming or

[1:50] joining us remotely. Go ahead.

[1:53] » One, consideration for presentation. A, Friday after 5 Barrel Stave

[1:58] presentation.

[2:01] » I believe we have a couple folks with the Friday after 5 here, so I'm going

[2:08] If you would introduce yourselves, please.

[2:11] » Charlotte Newton, secretary. >> Hannah Kohler, vice chairman.

[2:16] » Thank you for having us here. >> Yes, ma'am.

[2:19] » Good afternoon, Judge Executive, County Commissioners, and members of Daviess

[2:22] County Fiscal Court. On behalf of Friday after 5 Board of Directors, Hannah

[2:27] Kohler and I, we would like to sincerely thank you for your generous support of

[2:31] Friday after 5 and our mission to bring our community together.

[2:35] Friday after 5 is so much more than just a concert series. It's a celebration of

[2:39] our community, our local businesses, our downtown, which is beautiful, and the

[2:44] people who call Owensboro Daviess County home. Events like ours simply could not

[2:48] be possible without the support of community partners such as yourself.

[2:53] Each week at Friday after 5, you may have seen me on stage thanking our

[2:56] sponsors, our community partners, our city, our county, and most importantly,

[3:01] our community. Your donation helps us continue to provide that free

[3:05] entertainment and create an experience that brings thousands of people downtown

[3:09] and showcase what makes our community so special.

[3:13] Our first report show over 120,000 visitors so far, and as the reports keep

[3:19] coming in, we expect that to grow. As a small token of our appreciation, we

[3:23] are honored to present you with this Barrel Stave as a thank you for your

[3:26] investment in Friday after 5 and that community.

[3:30] Thank you for believing in Friday after 5, for supporting our efforts, and for

[3:34] helping us continue this wonderful tradition.

[3:37] We surely appreciate your partnership and generosity as we wrap up our 30th

[3:41] season anniversary. Thank you. >> Okay.

[4:27] » I do want to say thank you all for your role in making Friday at 5:00 happen and

[4:32] and I understand what you mean when you say you need the full support of the

[4:37] community to to be successful. And I I know Friday at 5:00 is is a gem,

[4:45] I think. And and to think that it's been 30 years

[4:49] now, it's hard to believe. So, thank you all for your role.

[4:54] Uh any any other comments? Go ahead, Commissioner.

[4:58] » You This year was even with the weather was most of the

[5:03] time great. But the lineups that you had and the

[5:06] work that was put in place and how many of the volunteers showed up

[5:10] and what everyone did was an outstanding year.

[5:14] Uh I'm never sure if there was any better lineup or attendance that you had

[5:19] out there. So, kudos to all of you and your forward, especially to Brad who's

[5:23] really stepped it up, I think. Uh it is much appreciated how that has

[5:28] become a signature event of Owensboro and Daviess County. It's appreciated.

[5:32] Thank you. Amen.

[5:34] Commissioner, anything? Okay. Commissioner Marksberry, anything? Okay.

[5:39] Thank you all. You don't need to stay for the rest of the meeting unless you

[5:41] just want to. Thank you. >> B. Treasurer's report for July of 2026.

[5:48] » Mr. Johnson. >> As of July 31, 2026, total cash balance

[5:52] is $85,461,805.15

[5:56] for all funds. General fund balance is $49,060,760.69

[6:03] minus operating reserve and restricted funds cash for general fund operations

[6:07] is $38,611,562.60.

[6:13] All fund transfers from the general fund and jail fund have been completed

[6:16] loading the other operating and debt service funds for the year. I have

[6:20] nothing else to report. >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or

[6:23] comments from the court? This is a strictly a presentation, so we don't

[6:28] vote on it. >> Two, consideration for approval. A,

[6:32] minutes of August 13, 2026 Davis County Fiscal Court meeting.

[6:37] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[6:39] » Now a motion and second, we've all had the minutes for

[6:42] a few days to review. Do I hear any additions

[6:45] or um

[6:47] additions or corrections? Hearing none, all those in favor signify

[6:51] by saying aye. >> Aye.

[6:53] » Aye. >> B, all claims for all departments.

[6:57] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[6:58] » Now a motion and second, these are all the bills due and payable by Davis

[7:02] County Fiscal Court. Are there any questions for our

[7:05] treasurer? Hearing none, all those in favor signify

[7:09] by saying aye. >> Aye.

[7:10] » Aye. >> C, second reading of KOC A. 111.09-2026,

[7:18] an ordinance relating to the adoption of the 2026 Davis County tax rates.

[7:24] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[7:26] » Now a motion and second, Mr. Johnson. >> Fiscal Court is proposing to keep the

[7:30] property tax rate the same as last year, adopt the derivative rate for tangible

[7:34] [snorts] personal property, and leave all other ad valorem rates the same. The

[7:39] proposed rates are real property at 12.2 cents per $100 of assessed value,

[7:44] tangible personal property at 12.92 cents per $100 of assessed value, and

[7:50] motor vehicles and watercraft at 17 cents per $100 of assessed value. All

[7:55] other classifications listed in the ordinance are either derived from those

[7:59] read into the record or set by the state. First reading was held in fiscal

[8:02] court session August 13th of 2026. This is the second reading and adoption.

[8:07] » Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or comments from the court?

[8:13] Any questions or comments from the public?

[8:17] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[8:20] » I. >> Any opposed?

[8:22] » Yes. >> Okay. Motion carries.

[8:26] » D. Second reading of KOC 921.693 10-2026,

[8:33] an ordinance amending KOC 921.685 02-2025,

[8:40] and KOC 921.689 01-2026,

[8:46] section 4. >> Motion to approve.

[8:48] » Second. >> Motion second. Chancellor, we normally

[8:51] have Mr. Burley read the whereas clauses

[8:55] somewhere. >> I will be happy to do that if you like,

[8:57] Judge. >> Go ahead.

[8:58] » Um whereas March 6th uh 2025 Daviess Fiscal Court adopted ordinance 921.685

[9:04] 2025 02-225 20225

[9:08] uh an ordinance amending the text in article 8 of the Owensboro Metropolitan

[9:12] Zoning Ordinance and incorporate incorporated that by reference February

[9:16] 29th of 2026, Fiscal Court adopted uh

[9:20] ordinance 921.689 in 2026, which is 01 of 2025, ordinance

[9:26] number 1, which amended the prior ordinance in section 4, and which

[9:31] we incorporated by reference. Now we're determined that section 4 needs to be

[9:36] amended again to provide additional time for research, review, and determine

[9:40] future application of that amendment. That's what this ordinance is to do.

[9:45] Would place a moratorium until November the 30th of 2026 to make the changes

[9:50] indicated. >> Thank you. Thank you, counselor. Any

[9:54] questions or comments from the court? Commissioner Kaundart.

[9:58] » Thank you, Judge. Just as a point of clarification,

[10:01] one of the main reasons why the extension of the moratorium was to make

[10:04] sure we got the necessary information from OMPC, which they held their first

[10:09] read or one reading is all they needed to have like 2 weeks ago today. And no

[10:14] public comments at all were made as in in in that regard as far as I

[10:17] understand. And so it looks as if

[10:20] we have potentially the transcript and once that is given to everyone else, we

[10:25] can maybe move forward with the solar ordinance and what it actually says and

[10:30] what the limitations are. So, hopefully that can get done quickly

[10:33] enough and we'll get it in place. >> The hope is that they can be completed

[10:37] in September. >> Thank you, sir.

[10:39] » Commissioner Marksbury, do you have any comments?

[10:42] » Yes, sir. I just wanted to say I just hope this will be the last extension on

[10:46] this matter. Thank you. >> As to

[10:49] Commissioner Kasten, anything? Anyone from the public wish to speak to this

[10:54] This is an extension of the moratorium.

[10:58] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I.

[11:01] » I. >> Motion carries.

[11:04] » Second reading [clears throat] of KOC A.110.02.11-2026,

[11:12] budget amendment number two. >> Motion to approve.

[11:16] » Second. >> In motion second, Mr. Johnson.

[11:18] » Yes, Judge. To recap, this amendment is in light of two items. The county

[11:22] budgeted 4 million in the general fund as originally appropriated in Kentucky

[11:26] House Bill 900 for the public safety facility. This budget amendment accounts

[11:30] for the Kentucky Senate Bill 197 amendment that increased that figure by

[11:34] 620,000 for fiscal year 26-27

[11:39] and two resolutions 17-2026 and a county city bridge improvement program funding

[11:44] agreement were approved in fiscal court session July 16th of 2026 in the amount

[11:49] of $315,000 and that was for the replacement of the

[11:52] old Highway 54 bridge. This budget amendment properly accounts for that

[11:57] unbudgeted project expense and state reimbursement in the road fund. First

[12:01] reading was held in fiscal court session 8 13 of 2026. This is the second reading

[12:05] and adoption. >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or

[12:08] comments from the court?

[12:11] Commissioner Marksberry, anything? Okay. Any any questions or comments from the

[12:16] public? Hearing none, all those in favor signify

[12:19] by saying I. >> I.

[12:22] » F, sheriff's annual tax settlement for tax year 2025.

[12:28] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[12:29] » I have a motion and second. Mr. Johnson. >> I've received a presented copy of the

[12:33] sheriff's annual tax settlement for the 2025 tax period per KRS 134.192.

[12:40] The fiscal court must review, reconcile, and approve the annual tax settlement of

[12:44] the sheriff prior to September 1 of any given year before a certificate of

[12:48] quietus can be issued by the state upon their reconciliation and review. The

[12:53] quietus issued by the state is required before the sheriff is released of

[12:56] liability for collections of the prior year and only at that time can his

[13:00] office begin working on the current year's tax bills per statute. I've

[13:04] reviewed and reconciled the data found it is in agreement with our financial

[13:07] records. No other taxing district has made me aware of any inconsistencies

[13:11] with his figures, so I have no issues to report.

[13:14] » Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or comments from the court?

[13:19] Any questions or comments from the public?

[13:21] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[13:24] » I. >> G, grant agreement for litter abatement

[13:29] program 2027. >> Motion to approve.

[13:32] » Second. >> Had a motion and second, Mr. Johnson.

[13:35] » This is the litter abatement program grant funding that will offset our

[13:39] litter abatement expenses with our contracted vendor. This funding must be

[13:43] used for direct expenses as defined in 401 KAR 4980 section 3 incurred during

[13:50] calendar year 2027 that are associated with anti-litter control programs for

[13:55] litter cleanup on public roads as provided in KRS 224 and to meet the

[14:01] requirements established in KRS 224.43 through section 345. The amount of grant

[14:07] funding that we are eligible to receive will not be determined until November

[14:10] 2026. This is an annual exercise and I see no

[14:14] issues, Judge. >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or

[14:17] comments from the court?

[14:20] Any questions or comments from the public?

[14:22] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

[14:25] » Aye.

[14:28] » H, AmeriCorps partner agency agreement benefiting the Homeless Coalition of

[14:33] Ohio Valley for fiscal year 26-27. >> Motion to approve.

[14:38] » Second. >> Had a motion and second, Mr. Johnson.

[14:42] » For the past several years, fiscal court has sponsored the position of an

[14:45] AmeriCorps worker for the Homeless Coalition of Ohio Valley or HCOV as the

[14:50] entity's agency funding. This worker is housed at St. Benedict Shelter and is

[14:54] supervised by David Townsel on behalf of HCOV. This program has proven beneficial

[15:00] for the coalition. It provides them an employee at a total cost of $6,250.

[15:06] HCOV's application for agency funding that included only this expense was

[15:12] approved and included in the fiscal year 2027 budget. The agreement is for the

[15:17] program year September 1 of 26 through August 31 of 27. Fiscal court serves as

[15:22] the sponsoring fiscal agent, meaning the agreement must be approved in order for

[15:26] the payment to be processed. >> Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any comments or

[15:30] questions from the court? Any questions or comments from the

[15:34] public? Hearing none, all those in favor signify

[15:37] by saying I. >> I.

[15:39] » I. >> I accept proposal by Jail Geek

[15:42] Incorporated for federal per diem rate application and negotiation services for

[15:47] the Daviess County Detention Center. >> What's your pleasure, Brooke?

[15:52] » Second. >> I have a motion and a second, Mr.

[15:54] Johnson. >> Currently, federal prisoners that are

[15:56] housed in the Daviess County Detention Center are reimbursed at a per diem rate

[16:01] of $70 per prisoner per day via an intergovernmental agreement that Daviess

[16:05] County holds with the United States Marshals. In 2023, fiscal court

[16:11] utilized Summerall Law Firm PLLC to negotiate our current rate of $70, which

[16:16] was up from $55. Presented is a proposal by Jail Geek

[16:20] Incorporated, which is a company founded by leadership from Summerall Law Firm

[16:24] PLLC, to assist in preparing and submitting an application to the United

[16:29] States Marshals to negotiate a new per diem rate for the upcoming rate cycle.

[16:34] The proposal is in the total amount of $24,900.

[16:38] $4,950 of this figure is for additional

[16:41] services, including working with the jailer and the Marshals Grants Officer

[16:45] to assist in addressing questions regarding our application. Jailer

[16:49] Maglinger is not yet sure as to whether or not he would need to exercise these

[16:52] additional services, but they would need approval for him to move forward.

[16:56] Uh the jailer and his management staff have reviewed the proposal and are

[16:59] recommending acceptance, and I see no issues.

[17:02] » Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Any questions or comments from the court?

[17:06] » No. >> Any questions or comments from the

[17:08] public? Hearing none, all those in favor signify

[17:12] by saying I. >> I.

[17:13] » I. >> I.

[17:15] » J, resolution 22-2026, agreement regarding rural secondary flex

[17:21] program funds. >> Motion to approve.

[17:25] » Second. >> I have a motion second. Mr. Daugher.

[17:28] » Good evening. Good evening, Judge. This is a program the flex program is a

[17:32] program that's held with the Kentucky's KYTC's rural and municipal aid office.

[17:37] This These are funds that are set aside for the paving of asphalt streets and uh

[17:42] in counties. Um for the streets we have of Angler

[17:47] Avenue, Chris Barrow, Doe Run, Fawndrive, Medlar Drive, Macon Avenue,

[17:51] and Sims Avenues. These uh roads will be reimbursed by

[17:54] KYTC. I would recommend approval.

[17:58] » Okay, thank you, Mr. Daugher. Any questions or comments from the court?

[18:01] » No. >> Any questions or comments from the

[18:04] public? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[18:08] » I.

[18:13] » K, rate schedule for Daviess County Fiscal Court.

[18:17] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[18:19] » I have a motion second. Mr. Johnson.

[18:25] » This is the rate schedule we update annually.

[18:27] » Sturgeon. My apologies. >> This is the rate schedule we update

[18:31] annually or as needed for goods and services offered by Daviess County

[18:35] Fiscal Court that are subject to the state sales tax. The only change from

[18:39] the last approved rate schedule, which was approved April 30th, 2026, is the

[18:43] addition of archery fees for the 3D archery course at the March Mattingly

[18:47] Target Shooting Range. All our other ranges remain the same.

[18:51] » Thank you, Ms. Sturgeon. Any questions or comments from the court?

[18:55] » No. >> Commissioner Conder.

[18:57] » Uh curious question, Ms. Sturgeon. Do you would you happen to know when uh

[19:01] they're going to be able to use the facility?

[19:04] » At this time, they are not prepared for that, but we will have the rates in

[19:08] place when they are ready. >> Very good. Hopefully it gets done very

[19:12] quickly because I think there's going to be a lot of people going to use what we

[19:16] are just now doing with the archery at the gun club. Thank you, Judge.

[19:20] » Yes, sir. And I And I echo what you said that uh

[19:24] I believe there's going to be tremendous interest in it.

[19:28] Uh anyone else?

[19:30] Anyone from the public wishes to speak to this?

[19:34] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[19:37] » I.

[19:40] » I'll award bid number 2627-07,

[19:45] two new full-size SUVs. >> Motion to approve.

[19:50] » Second. >> We have a motion and second, Ms.

[19:53] Sturgeon. >> We received six bids and recommended

[19:56] award to the best evaluated bid submitted by Bachman Auto Group for the

[19:59] provision of two new full-size SUVs in the total amount of $110,618

[20:06] for the Davis County Detention Center. This is a budget of replacement of two

[20:09] aging units currently in inventory. Please note we are not recommending the

[20:13] lowest bid due to exceptions the Detention Center management found

[20:16] unacceptable. Bachman Auto Group is a known vendor. There are no exceptions to

[20:20] the specification, and I would recommend approval.

[20:24] » Thank you, Ms. Sturgeon. Any questions or comments from the court?

[20:27] » No. >> Any questions or comments from the

[20:29] public? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[20:33] » I. >> Commissioner Marksberry, if you could

[20:36] just clarify I believe I didn't catch on item C, that was the second reading of

[20:40] the tax rates. Did you vote yay or nay on that?

[20:45] » I was voting You asked is anyone opposed, and I said no because I did

[20:49] want to take the lower rate, which would have been below the rate we are

[20:53] accepting. So, yes, I mentioned that at the last meeting as well.

[20:56] » Correct. So, you You were voting >> You said is anyone opposed, and I am

[20:59] opposed, so I said yes, but maybe I should have said no. I apologize.

[21:03] » No, I I just want a clarification. Thank Thank

[21:05] » Sure, thank you. >> Next on the agenda.

[21:10] » And award RFQ number 2627-14 D6T dozer undercarriage replacement.

[21:18] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[21:20] » We got a motion and a second, Ms. Sturgeon.

[21:22] » We received three quotes and recommend award to the lowest and best evaluated

[21:25] quote submitted by Boyd and Sons for the provision of a replacement undercarriage

[21:29] for the D6T dozer at the West Davis County Landfill in the amount of

[21:33] $22,733.98.

[21:37] This is a budgeted routine replacement of parts. Undercarriage replacement for

[21:41] landfill equipment is recommended every 4,000 hours and this unit is beyond that

[21:45] threshold. Boyd and Sons is a known vendor. There were no exceptions to

[21:48] specification and I would recommend approval.

[21:51] » Thank you, Ms. Sturgeon. Any questions or comments from the court?

[21:55] Any questions or comments from the public? Hearing none, all those in favor

[21:58] signify by saying aye. >> Aye.

[22:01] » And award RFQ number 2627-16,

[22:06] four new 40-yd roll-off containers. >> Motion to approve.

[22:12] » Second. >> We got a motion and a second, Ms.

[22:14] Sturgeon. >> We received three quotes and recommend

[22:17] award to the lowest and best evaluated quote submitted by Wastequip for four

[22:20] new 40-yd roll-off containers for the Davis County Solid Waste in the amount

[22:24] of $28,170.27.

[22:28] This is a budgeted addition of our current inventory at the West Davis

[22:31] County Landfill by two units and the budgeted replacement of two units at the

[22:34] Grimes Avenue Transfer Station due to the due to the volatility of steel

[22:38] prices, this price may fluctuate slightly prior to ordering. This expense

[22:43] will be offset by the Kentucky Pride Grant, which was approved in fiscal

[22:46] court session May 14th, 2026 in the amount of $13,735.12.

[22:53] An anticipated cost fiscal court is between 15 and $17,000.

[22:57] Wastequip is a known vendor. There were no exceptions to specification and I

[23:01] would recommend approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Argenbright. Questions or

[23:05] comments from the court? >> No.

[23:07] » Any questions or comments from the public?

[23:11] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[23:15] » Oh, award RFQ number 2627-17, 11 sets of bunker gear.

[23:23] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[23:25] » Got a motion and second, Mr. Argenbright.

[23:27] » We received three quotes and recommend award to the lowest and best evaluated

[23:30] quote submitted by Atlantic Emergency Solutions for 11 sets of bunker gear for

[23:34] the Davis County Fire Department in the total amount of $35,149.54.

[23:41] These are seven budgeted replacements and three new sets for additional

[23:45] employees to meet national standards. This also replaces one additional set

[23:49] that is close to its the end of its useful life. Atlantic Emergency

[23:53] Solutions is a known vendor. There were no exceptions to the specifications and

[23:56] I would recommend approval. >> Thank you, Mr. Argenbright. Questions or

[24:00] comments from the court? >> No.

[24:03] » Any questions or comments from the public?

[24:05] Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying I.

[24:08] » I. >> P, hire Nathan Young as firefighter

[24:13] effective August 17, 2026. >> Motion to approve.

[24:17] » Second. >> Got a motion and second. Want to

[24:20] congratulate Mr. Young um

[24:23] for being selected to be a fire firefighter for the Davis County Fiscal

[24:26] Court and thank him for uh agreeing to come to

[24:30] work for us. All those in favor signify by saying I.

[24:33] » I. >> Q, hire Cameron Thompson as firefighter

[24:38] effective August 26, 2026. >> Motion to approve.

[24:43] » Second. >> Got a motion and second. Want to again

[24:45] want to congratulate uh Cameron on his hire and

[24:49] we wish him well and uh as a firefighter and thank him for coming to work for us.

[24:53] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[24:58] » Our promote Jonathan Heath to lieutenant effective August 30, 2026.

[25:04] » Motion to approve. >> Second.

[25:05] » Got a motion and second. Want to congratulate Mr. Heath on his promotion

[25:10] and thank him for his service to our community. All those in favor signify by

[25:14] saying I. >> I.

[25:17] » Ask accept [snorts] the retirement resignation of Ronnie Bobo effective

[25:21] September 1, 2026. >> Motion to approve.

[25:25] » Second. >> Got a motion and second. Want to

[25:27] congratulate Ronnie on his um retirement and wish him well and uh

[25:32] thank you for your service. Anyone else wish to speak to that?

[25:36] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[25:38] » I. >> Three, consideration for discussion. A,

[25:43] other business to be brought before the Davis County Fiscal Court. There is none

[25:47] that I'm aware of. B, public comments.

[25:51] » This is the part of our meeting where we invite the public to come forward state

[25:54] to the I would even state your name and address for the record. Speak to any

[25:57] item other than those that have been covered on the agenda.

[26:01] » Good afternoon. My name is Cheryl Brown. I live in the Downs subdivision in the

[26:05] county and I'm here representing the Coalition for Inclusive Davis County.

[26:09] Yesterday we celebrated the 106th anniversary of the women's right to vote

[26:13] at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History sponsored by the AAUW, American

[26:18] Association of University Women. The president of AAUW of Kentucky and

[26:23] the president of AAUW of Owensboro are both founding members and on the

[26:27] steering committee of the Coalition for Inclusive Davis County.

[26:32] AAUW of Owensboro published a document highlighting women who broke barriers

[26:36] and changed history in Davis County. And the first woman they featured was Mary

[26:40] Hale Dean. Dean was the first president of of

[26:44] Owensboro's Women's Club in 1896. She was also the first president of the

[26:49] Owensboro Carnegie Public Library Board of Directors from 1914 to 1918.

[26:56] She and the Women's Club raised $3,200 in donations for a library. However, in

[27:01] 1911, the city refused to appropriate funds for its operation.

[27:05] So, despite the lack of cooperation from the city that Owensboro Women's Club

[27:09] opened the library in April of 1912 and ran it with volunteers for 2 years.

[27:15] Her genealogy notebooks formed a basis for the Daviess County Public Library

[27:18] Kentucky Room and its collection is a name is named in her honor.

[27:23] At yesterday's AAUW event, one presentation stood out and noted that

[27:28] women make up a larger share of voters in Kentucky than men. 52.7% are female

[27:33] and 47.2% are male.

[27:37] Yet, women are not represented at the same level on boards, in leadership

[27:41] positions, or among elected officials. And this brings us to the current state

[27:45] of affairs at our own public library. A position is now open step on the

[27:50] library board with Rodney Ellis finishing his term in September as

[27:53] library board treasurer. Three individuals applied for that open

[27:57] position as reported at the library board meeting last week on August 19th.

[28:02] Two were male, one was female. All had a financial background.

[28:07] The library board chair quickly nominated another male to be sent to

[28:12] fiscal court for consideration without discussion or consideration of

[28:16] qualifications or experience of the other applicants.

[28:20] And no discussion at all about the female applicant other than mentioning

[28:24] her name. And my question would be, why? The fiscal court has repeatedly turned

[28:29] down well-qualified female applicants for the library board positions the last

[28:33] 2 years. And let me state for the record, I do

[28:36] not personally know any of the three applicants at all.

[28:40] However, it is concerning that a well-qualified female applicant with a

[28:44] financial background and leadership experience is once again being

[28:49] overlooked.

[28:52] For those watching this fiscal court meeting and they may that may not be

[28:56] aware, several changes have been made by the state Republican legislators to the

[29:01] library board process to ensure ensure the judge exec has ultimate control of

[29:05] who is appointed to the public library boards in Kentucky.

[29:09] The appointments made this past two years by this fiscal court have been

[29:12] deliberate and directly aligned with that ideology supported by a local and

[29:17] controversial far-right Moms for Liberty group that supports censorship of public

[29:22] and school libraries. The chair of that group wrote an

[29:25] editorial in the newspaper just today that used the word ban four times in

[29:30] reference to books in the library. Since January 243 books have now been

[29:36] removed from the children's and young adult section of the Daviess County

[29:40] Public Library to the adult section where access is made more difficult and

[29:44] questionable. 700 books have been reviewed by library

[29:48] staff to ensure policy compliance. Think of the taxpayer dollars used for

[29:53] that task. And the collection development policy

[29:56] has now been revised that specifies books may not have any sexual content,

[30:02] sexual education, graphic violence, or reference to suicide in the young adult

[30:07] section for ages 13 to 18. These decisions are being led and made

[30:12] by a small group of individuals that do not represent the majority of Daviess

[30:17] County citizens and the library board surely does not currently represent

[30:21] represent its constituents nor the diversity of the citizens of this

[30:25] county. Midterm elections are in November.

[30:29] This issue is but one of the many Daviess County will need to consider as

[30:34] we vote in the upcoming November election.

[30:37] And I have to ask myself, what would Mary D. Hill Dean and the

[30:41] women who broke through those barriers before barriers before us, too.

[30:46] » Thank you. Is there anyone else wish to speak to

[30:49] any item other than those items that have been covered on the agenda?

[31:04] » Daniel Sosh, uh Owensboro Drive, Owensboro. Um it's 20

[31:10] months into our medical marijuana program. Owensboro Davis County citizens

[31:15] still don't have a dispensary to get their medicine.

[31:18] I I find that disgraceful. 15 years. You You may not be able to see

[31:23] it, but it says team Kentucky. 15 years. I I They call it lobbying. I just called

[31:29] it asking my representatives to do their job. But after 15 years,

[31:34] now I I I don't have to worry about the Gestapo or the KGB coming to take me

[31:38] away and put me in a for-profit cage. But I still have to travel to another

[31:43] county to get my medicine. No one on this this body never supported

[31:47] my calls. No one over at city hall supports my calls. I just don't

[31:52] understand that. It makes no sense. Other counties, they're growing. They

[31:56] have jobs. Th- This is the industry of tomorrow, not not yesterday's tomorrow.

[32:02] Th- This is a clean energy. It does nothing but help people. It It takes

[32:07] away You want to expand our jail. It It relieves that that congestion there

[32:12] because these people shouldn't be in a for-profit cage. And And I just can't

[32:16] understand why we 20 months in in one of the fourth largest city and we don't

[32:21] have a dispensary. And it's only because of peo- the powers that be don't want it

[32:26] here. And I just don't understand that.

[32:29] I would like to someone give me an answer to that some way.

[32:32] » Okay. >> Thank you. I well, I've also like to

[32:35] point out that Kentucky is the worst in America. They have the worst program and

[32:40] most restrictive. And maybe while we don't have a

[32:44] dispensary here, Owensboro Davis County thought that they should make it even

[32:48] worse. They put more restrictions to make it even more harder on the

[32:53] patients and businessmen to open a dispensary here. That makes no sense.

[32:58] That sounds like you're trying doing everything you can to keep them out.

[33:02] I don't understand that. And I'd like a an answer

[33:06] from somebody. >> Thank you.

[33:09] Is there anyone else wish to speak to any item that has not been covered on

[33:12] the agenda? >> I'm sorry. I'm not my hearing aids are

[33:15] working. >> I'm I'm not responding you. I'm I'm not

[33:17] responding. My My comments were not a response to you. I'm asking if there's

[33:22] anyone else wants to speak. That's all right.

[33:26] Is there anyone else wish to speak to any item that is not been covered on the

[33:30] agenda? >> See comments by Davis County Fiscal

[33:34] Court. >> Commissioner Caster.

[33:37] » I don't have anything. Thanks, Judge. >> Commissioner Conder.

[33:40] » Pass, Judge. >> Commissioner Marksberry.

[33:45] » I don't have anything tonight. I just wanted to thank you all for letting me

[33:48] zoom in though. I apologize I could not be there in person.

[33:52] » Yes, ma'am. I I just want to announce that tomorrow,

[33:55] Friday, August 28th is the 13th annual Davis County Fire Department Christmas

[34:00] Wish Golf Scramble at Ben Hawes Golf Course. Registration is beginning at

[34:05] 7:00 a.m. This year's tournament celebrates the 50th anniversary of

[34:11] Christmas Wish. Do you have anything else?

[34:15] Okay. Without further business, this meeting

[34:19] is adjourned.

[34:28] » Commissioner Dean. >> It's okay. They're going to put your

[34:31] picture in.

[34:36] Okay.

Daviess County Fiscal Court Meeting, Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Transcript