[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6534410,"mediaKeyId","3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f","parentId",3589819,"title","Daviess County creates Public Safety Director post and promotes Fire Chief Jeremy Smith to lead emergency operations","audioSeconds",135,"startMs",1544000,"endMs",1679000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f&start=1544&end=1679","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f/thumbnail_1544000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534410/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Daviess-County-creates-Public-Safety-Director-post-and-promotes-Fire-Chief-Jeremy-Smith-to-lead-emergency-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534410-0d59b5bed7ecba046ed8f53cec6aac94/orig.mp4?Expires=1776026190&Signature=gP2ZtuIGfypw4FowMXDu09u20w54lfJmLeVvN-6XNWYqIXLTE4AAf6qThoaQjvYRPOTu8ynZMerkuMw9E6fjHiCFVX7NfRxbDycG8AMGfNFwhhaWslp7pWZnRI5XVsif09lwZqL0jHr5qR2GmaOz-0bkdgK2Ak-S0T3qKuqBbisln9WeK0dSDFP6TW3go1WXsbbyX7IAEohVgnu~2Q19NF8uICgX~H6-Hazgxd8FUajFyaWQhfyB6C1k4Ny77JJbpcD52L98~cPKehIJk~n~h2Oau8sfvDgZqOC1Kfd3jZoROzTkggwPf5o9CzQP793E6HAgQ39cESX3MBK~VjPxoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Daviess County, KY","date","2025-05-23T16:56:38.553Z","article","Daviess County Fiscal Court on May 22 voted to create a new Public Safety Director position and promoted Fire Chief Jeremy Smith to the role effective May 2025.

Judge-Executive Charlie Castle said the position is intended to improve interagency communication, update emergency response protocols, and serve as a single point of contact for public information during disasters. Castle said Jeremy Smith possesses the training and experience needed and that the new role consolidates supervision of the county’s Emergency Management Agency and the fire department for operational consistency.

Castle said the new position will be partially funded initially by attrition and that over time the county expects the position’s cost to be mitigated through consolidation and further attrition. He read a statement describing expectations for the role, including project management for a new public-safety facility and enhanced coordination with partner agencies.

Commissioners and those present thanked Chief Smith for his service and offered well wishes; Commissioner Condor referenced Smith’s upcoming marriage and thanked first responders for their work.

Details from the meeting:

- Action: Waiver of Section 9 of Chapter 11 of the administrative code was approved, the new position of Public Safety Director was created and Jeremy Smith was promoted to that post effective May 2025.
- Expected duties listed by the judge: maximize interagency communication, update organizational emergency response protocols, centralize public information for emergencies, and manage development of a new public-safety facility.
- Funding: Initially partially funded by staff attrition; judge stated potential for no incremental cost over time.

The court approved the move by voice vote. No additional ordinance or salary schedule was read into the record at the meeting; the judge said staff-level implementation steps would follow.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Daviess County Fiscal Court Meeting May 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The fiscal court approved creation of a new Public Safety Director position, waived a section of the county administrative code to allow the change, and promoted Jeremy Smith (Fire Chief) to the role; the judge said the move consolidates EMA and fire supervision to improve preparedness and response.","taxTitle","Daviess County, Kentucky","taxId",5708,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534413,"County engineer lists nearly 13 miles for 2025–26 resurfacing; commissioners ask about costs and selection process",122,1059000,1181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f&start=1059&end=1181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f/thumbnail_1059000.jpg","/articles/6534413/Daviess-County/Kentucky/County-engineer-lists-nearly-13-miles-for-202526-resurfacing-commissioners-ask-about-costs-and-selection-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534413-c727404e1a8ab849501ae511bfbfa008/orig.mp4?Expires=1776026190&Signature=aMUdQ1i49hDUcSUQMwZGUfFzTp834t103aXrIX7YXQfl4Ql3ElTptvWhQWfCScdR6OzSzd9NdjEFuvlr2NATRCk1mc9r~Ct2mcSIGDRBuNv2V3IlD23CrLfVI4ctXMNQV3ZZQTo8W4udEQMuTPzQzveBFMNQ7wCBA3L5ogOiixXUJQtKWSGqm2Edq8wLSEO9Du7sr60TVDWhgDUAr09ftf-rksTOEI6M-JmnQjAlhNKwHqOfxTwe88trwwOA46QByh00oJ8R3VKgdZQTliEUyPbQGlxkEM1ZVKOSwdRPtul6KIY4m-0sIAH5VZIMRXOJwoCgAJB~Ms~me2pjktzqzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County engineer Adrian Duper presented the Daviess County Fiscal Court’s proposed 2025–26 roadway resurfacing list on May 22, identifying roughly 12.8 miles across East, Central and West districts.

Duper read a road-by-road list that includes segments such as St. Jude Road between Firesilver Road and Kentucky 1389; Millers Mill Road between Kentucky 142 and Maysville Habit Road; Roy Wells Road between Kentucky 144 and Wright’s Landing Road; sections in Cedar Hill subdivision and several court and alley segments in the Brown/Stewart area. For the Central and West districts Duper named Maysville Habit Road, Old Ladon Bridge Road and West Fifth Street Road among others.

Commissioner Condor asked for an approximate cost comparison with the prior year and whether asphalt prices or miles paved were changing. Duper said the previous fiscal year covered about 18 miles and that asphalt prices had remained roughly stable, making the program “pretty comparable” year to year. Commissioner Mark Sperry asked how roads are selected; Duper described an on-the-ground inspection process conducted by him and three staff members (construction inspector Jeff King, road supervisor Eddie Radish and road foreman Danny Roberts), who compile a short list and then collaborate with him to select the worst-rated roads based on distress such as potholes and base failures.

Duper also explained district allocation: the county maintains more miles in the East district (46 percent of county-maintained miles), with Central and West at roughly 20 percent and 34 percent respectively. For 2025–26 he said the resurfacing distribution will be about 51 percent East, 30 percent West and about 19–20 percent Central.

Why it matters: Road resurfacing affects travel safety, maintenance budgets and the scheduling of work that can disrupt local traffic. Commissioners requested budgeting context and more detailed cost comparisons for future meetings.

","Daviess County’s engineer presented a 2025–26 road resurfacing list totaling about 12.8 miles and described the staff-based selection process; commissioners asked about miles paved in prior years, budgeting and district allocations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534418,"FEMA liaison introduced as county and federal teams prepare door-to-door outreach and a disaster recovery center after April flooding",100,503000,603000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f&start=503&end=603","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f/thumbnail_503000.jpg","/articles/6534418/Daviess-County/Kentucky/FEMA-liaison-introduced-as-county-and-federal-teams-prepare-door-to-door-outreach-and-a-disaster-recovery-center-after-April-flooding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534418-38243015b767fdc39231405b8bf3a053/orig.mp4?Expires=1776026190&Signature=JWOIiRvMmBESdEZ-phiTbYYQpY1IMhaEklh7lLwheImDUxyMUVIFLJnWhsH0qwt533qPbqQX9JGBcBiDElHbBtTcBKHOkwS3O-a0I5e6To0bILe~i2QwRG634QsDn04fMf26bzB-fpcycCr-M0jERVS0mCirgYt~g45ojxLtHfe~0khGxsN5QuFjjIARu6jcsvGoFyNxW9JIZPn4tyqCZ2ZaE~QMsn3Crm5bIpRwHO9uyX53DPrb~jCNIlpyrSSsg2pt5yAWjofJmbuNslEuwT16on5e8eLdc7gDKm1LVBKF9AOm~upKQjRObyWSLaLRf-1kN4I-r~NrHf7n0i-WRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daviess County Emergency Management Director Andy Ball introduced FEMA intergovernmental affairs staff at the May 22 fiscal-court meeting, saying the representatives serve as FEMA’s liaison to local government officials rather than spokespeople to the media.

Ball said FEMA teams are conducting door-to-door outreach to residents affected by the April flooding and that a disaster recovery center (DRC) is expected to open \"any day now.\" He advised media with FEMA-related questions to contact FEMA external affairs; he also provided a county office contact phone number for public inquiries.

August Dichter, identified as FEMA’s intergovernmental affairs specialist and the liaison to the federal coordinating officer and the joint field office in Kentucky, introduced himself and said he would share his contact information with elected officials following the meeting. Ball also named Carolyn Robinson Tucker as the FEMA intergovernmental affairs manager who was expected to attend but was running late.

Details from the meeting:

- FEMA outreach: Door-to-door teams are visiting residents affected by April flooding.
- DRC status: A disaster recovery center is anticipated to open imminently to assist residents.
- County contact: Andy Ball provided the Daviess County emergency management phone number (270-685-8448) for inquiries and directed media to FEMA external affairs for official FEMA statements.

No formal action was required; the introduction was informational to coordinate recovery efforts and public communication.

","Daviess County emergency management introduced FEMA intergovernmental affairs representatives who will coordinate with local officials on recovery from April flooding; a disaster-recovery center was said to be opening soon and FEMA teams are conducting door-to-door outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534423,"Daviess County proclaims May 2025 Older Americans Month; senior center outlines plans for new $5.5 million building",264,105000,369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f&start=105&end=369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6534423/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Daviess-County-proclaims-May-2025-Older-Americans-Month-senior-center-outlines-plans-for-new-55-million-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534423-3c3d802cd35fdf352ec22710beaae2df/orig.mp4?Expires=1776026190&Signature=cWzrUkpJ65wV1ieVCJfhO-oI96cUL65Ga7dtoum8FxMs~-RTPyvapHVbBL2TOonFsuMQ4b7u2zHxGzqi44wIutVRy~2BI1MriPbJawuJiqWt2SNuycWSGmP6Lw~bpPlRgqWEdmmZw-UGeYTO0PbmPdwH8Yyst1mrXSYonCqTbAFcSZU8ZnIWhWC-ZFPs13MRvXv~1PdCXYy~1MEIGo9ChcT~YCe~4FR4t0iWg8vuLknXLrE4cSESFFWQFz5kPbKwU5SaqO8bx4FjMojm4T0VqJffVaY727Y6svKWYYDyUiFnQAZqSOwNF9j-87LgRTcxXF7Za2GuvpjXnR3iVoE13g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castle read a proclamation at the May 22 fiscal-court meeting declaring May 2025 as Older Americans Month and urging the community to honor older residents.

Following the proclamation, a representative of the Senior Community Center described recent center activity and gave an update on a planned new building: the project design is 26,800 square feet and the construction cost was reported as just under $5,500,000. The speaker said local fundraising and a matching commitment from the county would cover the project when complete.

David Tucker, identified in the meeting as a representative of the Senior Community Center, told the court the center served nearly 200 seniors at a recent celebration and has been updating programming to increase reach. Tucker said final plans for a new building arrived this month and a groundbreaking is hoped for “in the next two or three weeks.” He reported that the county had offered a $500,000 matching commitment and the center had raised about $240,000 toward that match. He also described small- and large-dollar donations from seniors and community members, including multiple gifts in the $50–$1,000 range and one $10,000 donation.

The court recognized the center’s board chair (name not fully specified in the record) and thanked center staff and volunteers for their work.

Why it matters: The new facility, if built as described, would expand county senior services footprint and require coordination on funding and construction. County officials present noted the county’s matching commitment and said fundraising and grant pursuits are underway.

Details provided at the meeting:

- Reported building size: 26,800 square feet.
- Reported construction cost: just under $5,500,000.
- County matching pledge cited by the speaker: $500,000 (matching commitment the center referenced as a target to reach with fundraising).
- Fundraising to date toward the match: about $240,000 reported.
- Groundbreaking: speaker said it is expected “in the next 2 or 3 weeks” from the May 22 meeting date.

No formal vote was required for the proclamation or the presentation; court members thanked center staff and offered general support.

","The fiscal court read a proclamation designating May 2025 as Older Americans Month and heard a presentation from a senior-center representative describing a planned 26,800-square-foot building estimated at just under $5.5 million and ongoing fundraising.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534427,"Daviess County Fiscal Court approves contracts, bids and personnel moves in unanimous votes",411,448000,859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f&start=448&end=859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3589819-998ddaf72ccf8ea1838dbf27c1cb208f/thumbnail_448000.jpg","/articles/6534427/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Daviess-County-Fiscal-Court-approves-contracts-bids-and-personnel-moves-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534427-ffb94230253205509930dd9c6dd37c19/orig.mp4?Expires=1776026190&Signature=oR7pXXd7crfOlfSJfZVtpcSDkAefZF~HbvvrCNRpTlDBSmAj76tu2jIo99zuGWchYhgtIRbtmfSAzAUrdCwyEuv3ph3bmVIR~0sHrKP1TNHwnZ-2DfET2nbp-DIbVYtjbfKwyljnn7p3krCpr44tU4wyY9OhZm6ibgD4S-uDZavVmKDSysvdoBAjWks7JayAatJVvhULNLhYrwoHAHeix5Q7KNa1W3dujPksHXlFnbivForMEKWsGS07-LBELYuZMora7hh3Vopuq5cZsk06VeI1oZytfcBeKVh4Crmc-GGqCboAtlmnYEaQUS8RBobsIOr5n3hVvGuJC0p9b667gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Daviess County Fiscal Court on May 22 approved a series of contracts, bid awards and personnel actions, including creation of a new public-safety director position and several procurement awards, by unanimous voice votes.

The approvals advance multiple capital and operational items for the county, including grant administration for a hydrants project, a courthouse change order to accommodate election equipment, a contractor renewal for transfer-station operations, and bids for fire-inspection and generator replacement work.

The court's actions cover administrative housekeeping (minutes and claims), grant and contract approvals, procurement awards, a roadway resurfacing list for the 2025–26 fiscal year and personnel appointments and promotions. Most items were introduced by county staff and passed without substantive debate.

Votes at a glance (each motion approved by voice vote):

- Minutes and claims: The court approved minutes of the May 8, 2025 meeting and all departmental claims for payment (motion passed by voice vote).

- Grant administration for hydrants project: The court approved a contract with Green River Area Development District (GRADD) to administer a Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (KIA) grant for the county hydrants project. The original KIA award had been adjusted; the new total reported by staff is $1,018,443. GRADD’s proposed administrative fee is $15,000, to be paid from grant proceeds.

- Courthouse renovation change order: Change order No. 10 for bid 2324-67 was approved to add lockable pass-through openings at windows in the clerk’s office to accommodate electronic voting books. Change order amount: $2,241.85.

- Tire-recycling grant application: The court approved submission of the annual waste-tire grant for fiscal 2025–26. If awarded, the county will be reimbursed actual recycling/disposal costs up to $4,000.

- Amendment with International Paper: The court approved amendment No. 5 to the procurement and service agreement with International Paper for paper sludge tipping fees. The negotiated rate is $19.26 per ton (up from $15.00 per ton). The amendment extends the contract to Sept. 30, 2028.

- Axiom Architecture contract: The court approved a contract with Axiom Architecture to design a secure waiting area at the Morton J. Holbrook Judicial Center (service fee items 1–7 totaling $3,700). The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) will reimburse the county for this nonrecurring expense.

- Ricky Moore Trucking contracts and lease: The court renewed the subcontract with Ricky Moore Trucking LLC to operate hauling and transfer-station services for the City of Henderson under the county’s interlocal agreement. The contract allows CPI-based rate adjustments; this year’s CPI adjustment raised the transport rate to $13.81 per ton (from $13.50) and the operation rate to $42,966 per month (from $42,000). The court also approved a replacement lease for a transit vehicle used by Ricky Moore in the operation.

- Road resurfacing list: The court approved the county’s 2025–26 resurfacing list covering about 12.8 miles (nearly 13 miles). Staff listed specific roads in the East, Central and West districts for mill-and-fill or resurfacing work.

- Procurement awards: Bid 2425-81 (fire inspection services) was awarded to Course and Fire & Security for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 contract period (the lowest bid was not selected due to an exception). Bid 2425-82 (generator replacement at the Daviess County Detention Center) was awarded to Westerfield Electric LLC for $74,000.

- Personnel and boards: The court accepted the resignation of Jerome Hernandez (effective May 16, 2025); promoted Kevin Payne to heavy equipment operator (effective May 25, 2025); reclassified David Smith as parks director (effective May 25, 2025); approved creation of a public-safety director position (waiver of Section 9 of Chapter 11 of the administrative code) and promoted Jeremy Smith to that role effective May 2025; hired Braxton Franey as a seasonal park attendant (pending screenings); and appointed Joanna Kendall to the Greenwood Cemetery Board (term May 1, 2025–April 30, 2028).

All listed motions were presented by staff and approved by voice vote; roll-call tallies were not read aloud. Court members signaled unanimous support by saying “aye.”

Background and next steps: Several projects approved at the meeting are grant-funded or reliant on third-party reimbursement (KIA, AOC). Staff indicated procurement and construction scheduling will follow procurement rules and available funding. The public comment period at the meeting included one community announcement unrelated to the vote items.

","At its May 22 meeting the Daviess County Fiscal Court unanimously approved a package of routine contracts, bid awards, a road resurfacing list and a set of personnel actions, and accepted grant-administration and project agreements needed to advance infrastructure and public-safety work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Daviess County creates Public Safety Director post and promotes Fire Chief Jeremy Smith to lead emergency operations

County engineer lists nearly 13 miles for 2025–26 resurfacing; commissioners ask about costs and selection process

FEMA liaison introduced as county and federal teams prepare door-to-door outreach and a disaster recovery center after April flooding

Daviess County proclaims May 2025 Older Americans Month; senior center outlines plans for new $5.5 million building

Daviess County Fiscal Court approves contracts, bids and personnel moves in unanimous votes