Davis County judge announces $500,000 matching pledge for new senior community center as design bids close

Design and fundraising updates for a planned Davis County Senior Community Center drew extended discussion at the Davis County Fiscal Court meeting on Jan. 23, and Judge Executive Charlie Caslin announced a county pledge to match community fundraising up to $500,000.

Senior center representative David Tucker described participation and services at the existing center and laid out next steps for the planned new facility, including design-build bids that close Jan. 31 and anticipated construction cost estimates once bids are evaluated. “Our mission…is to provide and coordinate services and social activities for seniors that enhance their dignity, improve their independence, and encourage their involvement in the community,” Tucker said, reciting the center’s mission as presented to the court.

Tucker told the court the senior center ended 2024 with 1,020 active members, averaged 140 daily attendees, and served roughly 250 Meals on Wheels clients across the county; the center reported serving 99,438 meals in 2024 through congregate sites, Meals on Wheels and a frozen meal program. He said bids for a design-build contract to build a new facility closed Jan. 31 and that the center plans to present finalized cost estimates in February.

Why it matters: County and city commitments are already part of the funding picture: county staff said the county has pledged $2 million and the City of Owensboro has pledged $3 million plus the purchase of the property. County, city and center leaders said the next step is finalizing design-build costs so private fundraising and grant applications can proceed.

Judge Caslin announced a new fiscal court fundraising commitment: the county will match up to $500,000 in private donations dollar for dollar, provided the matching funds are not sourced from federal, state or local tax dollars. Caslin said the match will come from community contributions or grant proceeds and that the court intends the match to incentivize broad community support. “We want this to be something the entire community will embrace and help to be successful,” the judge said.

Court members and staff described immediate next steps: bids will close Jan. 31; the senior center’s board will be trained with talking points when final numbers are available so the center can launch active fundraising and public campaigns in February; legislators will be approached about potential state and federal assistance once the final cost is known.

Commissioner Conder, who serves as the county’s liaison to the senior center, praised the center’s leadership and volunteer energy and urged rapid follow-up after bids are opened. Treasurer Johnson confirmed the county’s $2 million pledge and said the city’s $3 million pledge also is part of the current funding framework. Tucker and the court said the senior center will pursue private donors, grants and public fundraising events to fill remaining needs.

Next steps: design-build bids close Jan. 31, 2025; the senior center expects to have clarified cost and fundraising needs by February and will begin public fundraising and grant outreach upon receiving final numbers.