Daviess County commissioners approve year-end accounting resolution, salary ordinance and multiple appropriations

Daviess County commissioners met on Nov. 13 and approved routine year-end financial housekeeping, a new salary ordinance for 2026, several appropriations to close out 2025 accounts and a set of board appointments, then adjourned.

The meeting opened with approval of minutes (including an Oct. 31 entry). Commissioners voted to adopt a year-end accounting resolution that authorizes the auditor's office to make limited adjustments to negative account balances late in the year and report those adjustments to the commission at its first meeting in January. Jen from the auditor’s office explained the change as a tool to allow necessary out-of-category transfers that otherwise would be difficult after books close.

The commission also adopted the county’s 2026 salary ordinance as presented, which sets specific hourly rates for health department employees so hours billed to different grants or categories will carry the same hourly rate. Commissioners said staff (including Kelly) worked to confirm the rate schedule prior to the vote.

Several appropriations and transfers were approved to close out departmental needs for the year. The commission approved a $14,873 payout to a former registrar employee (vacation and other payout amounts detailed in the packet). The coroner’s office received a $2,500 appropriation to cover additional deputy-coroner cases; Tyler from the coroner’s office said the county has seen roughly a 20% increase in cases this year and that the $175 per-case pay for part-time deputy coroners requires extra funding to get through December. The commissioners also approved a transfer to cover sheriff’s deputy overtime for the remainder of the 2025 payroll cycle; Sheriff Allison said the funds are being moved within existing salary lines due to an employee on workers' compensation.

Judge Murray requested late-year funds for court operations; the commission approved $5,000 for depositions and $3,500 for postage and related office-machine costs (packets show the calculations). The commission separately approved a $2,200 transfer to cover postage for criminal-case transmittals and jury summons, noting those accounts were at zero balance.

On appointments, the commission reappointed Natalie Smith to the Alcohol Beverage Commission and confirmed Mike Healy to serve another term on the Daviess County Redevelopment Commission after receiving his acceptance. The commission approved Kathy Bridal to finish the library board term vacated by Debbie Lawyer (the transcript uses that spelling; see audit notes regarding possible transcription variants). All appointments were approved by voice vote.

During public comment, Amy Goodman Rock identified herself (stating "Reelection") and said she was in the area to learn about local issues and available to speak with commissioners after the meeting. The meeting closed on a motion by Matt and a second by Tom.

The commission did not take up any new policy items or ordinances beyond the budget-year housekeeping and appointments; staff will present any follow-up reports at a future meeting as noted by the auditors.