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RDC members press for clarity on Westgate water tower, ownership and contractor selection
Summary
Members raised concern that Daviess County taxpayers could fund Westgate infrastructure that another entity would own, and asked consultants and staff to clarify who makes contractor and governance decisions for utilities; action assigned to reach out to Bryant and Duke partners.
Members spent an extended portion of the meeting pressing for clearer governance and cost‑recovery arrangements for Westgate infrastructure projects, including a delayed water tower design and contractor selection led by Eastern Heights Utilities.
Greg reported design delays on the Westgate water tower and said approvals could take several weeks; members asked for timely updates. An audience member and consulting partner, Bob, said Eastern Heights and related organizations have been steering contractor selection even though county funds are being used to build the asset.
A commissioner said the county cannot responsibly vote to fund multi‑million‑dollar assets unless there is a mechanism for taxpayers to be repaid if another entity will own and operate the infrastructure. "I can't vote for any sort of funding for Westgate assets if someone else owns them," the commissioner said. Members discussed options including baking cost recovery into rates or adding a commissioner‑appointed seat on Eastern Heights' board (the transcript noted bylaws could be changed). No formal decision was adopted; members assigned outreach tasks.
The commission asked Bob to convey the group's concerns to Bryant, who will contact Matt (referred to in the transcript as "the president") and report back. Members also asked Bob to re‑check the status of a previously proposed Duke transmission‑line alignment that had been discussed publicly and appeared to have "gone dark." Bob said he would follow up with Duke partners and update the group.
The RDC did not take a formal vote on governance changes or cost‑recovery mechanisms during the meeting and instructed staff and consultants to convene decision‑makers for next steps.
