[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6291014,"mediaKeyId","2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d","parentId",2530276,"title","Votes at a glance: Daviess County Fiscal Court routine approvals, grants and procurement on Feb. 20","audioSeconds",1757,"startMs",2097000,"endMs",3854000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d&start=2097&end=3854","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d/thumbnail_2097000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291014/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Votes-at-a-glance-Daviess-County-Fiscal-Court-routine-approvals-grants-and-procurement-on-Feb-20","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291014-2e815157f8bbc65b0161fd2fd3925506/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084597&Signature=IX8nNtmIYTLt6KFvmq8fF8lnnUFyv14GQu-bHp4eM1smE647Vj--08AFER7rMq2BgpjdqXMjUXd06lLwKM1gGoVZAzZzoB3cvUWH-VVtPFeTvm4hJUkIDkp0xzg7y4GNsUQnIK3J7VN5PsenH6ei2w0ziE0O3Q9u2P~aH55sY1g3p7IdjOfboT5DLQWH8oTghKgu1nFQ9KeCkTVgtnVg6bv-ZtCczr-Qu~AL6GTNI7d8IO4y5HLglA~pwnsCjmQKrOPBrcoBKwsuUcxaObk-NiRWCttUPu3OMdF2V-3mO-eVLHiAVaFGPbGmDuHhsOlYeEs68upCKfhha7Y5j7DvnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KY / Daviess County ","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Daviess County Fiscal Court recorded votes on multiple routine agenda items during its Feb. 20 meeting. Most items were approved by unanimous voice vote or recorded roll call where indicated. Below is a concise summary of actions taken; the meeting transcript contains full details for each item.

Key financial and procedural items

- Treasurer's report (as of Jan. 31, 2025): Total cash balance $79,131,966.01 for all funds; general fund balance $47,688,142.07; cash available for general fund operations $38,073,995.97. Mr. Johnson recommended no further action. (Approved by the court.)

- Minutes of the Feb. 4, 2025 meeting: Approved by motion and voice vote.

Claims, grants and contracts (approved)

- Grant agreement: Kentucky Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Owensboro Regional Recovery Center — $200,000 annual application with county as fiscal agent (approved).

- Contract: Green River Area Development District for administrative services for the CDBG grant — $10,000 administrative fee (approved).

- Kentucky Pride Fund grants: Composting ($113,440 request; county match $28,360), Household Hazardous Waste Management ($30,000 request; in-kind match $8,024.80), Recycling ($28,494 request; in-kind match $7,267.20) — all applications approved.

Procurement and equipment (approved)

- Change order for courthouse renovation (glass storefronts) — $9,141 (approved).

- Election equipment: 10 on-demand ballot printers from Harp Enterprises — $69,350 (approved); 10 additional e-poll books from 10x Software Solutions — $16,095 plus $1,500 annual license/support (approved).

- Active911/ActiveComm licenses for volunteer and career fire personnel — $13,920 annual (approved).

- Bell Engineering proposal for pickleball court site design — $12,500 (approved).

- Surplus declaration: 1996 Freightliner pumper (unable to pass pump test); sale interest noted (approved).

- Vehicle and equipment awards: Half-ton 4x4 crew cab pickup (Donahue Chevrolet) — $43,445; two replacement leachate pumps (Strafer Pump and Supply) — $13,167 (both approved).

Personnel and appointments (approved)

- Promotion of Eddie Redish to road supervisor (effective Feb. 2, 2025) — approved.

- Reappointments and appointments to boards: Michael Boyd reappointed to Owensboro/Daviess County Airport Board (term to 03/01/2029); several local residents appointed to the Property Maintenance Code Board of Appeals — all approved.

Votes were taken by voice unless otherwise recorded in the transcript. For a full list of agenda items, the accompanying transcript provides the verbatim motions, staff explanations and roll-call votes where recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Daviess County Fiscal Court Meeting February 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved routine financial, grant and procurement items including the treasurer's report, minutes, multiple grant applications, equipment purchases and appointments; sketched below are the formal votes recorded in the meeting.","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},6291019,"First reading of zoning text amendments prompts extended public comment and developer pushback",929,4337000,5266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d&start=4337&end=5266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d/thumbnail_4337000.jpg","/articles/6291019/Daviess-County/Kentucky/First-reading-of-zoning-text-amendments-prompts-extended-public-comment-and-developer-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291019-43fcb56aa9f3eae56c06a87bd14aaa16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084598&Signature=EYw1CM1cvxQ7MNFYu7f96Wle8MfZQ8e6j4vzwanGnmaLpvf4WEPpI7Ii0wteqk-G87ejtZsrGTz9fk5FtpWWhtWYfwX3UA6Iq54onM09eQ4cbiggDD2BCDop5V4yZirGbELr1HkvUSLpuM01kW1GGpepxYJgjccdruaopFEApWRjpldcTIHiWzEcXIkLT66LSFUqI3THOrilmIiWnx-TruNXZaO64Z8sACYEHUX09o~yBiw3WRy~77mgLrXEUOORLtNF9JFD4~9ACZ5dEIOVRKmzjYCj3UeYhPMJHxVX6TNP8SgrGwS5sK3r9V0AyX7a3gMqCnd~3rQJvqqG3RmoZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting’s first reading of KOC 921.685 (an Owensboro Metropolitan zoning text amendment) on Feb. 20, the Daviess County Fiscal Court and members of the public discussed draft changes to rules governing utility-scale solar energy systems.

Judge Executive Caslin opened the item and explained that the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC) had held a public hearing and recommended text amendments on Jan. 9. The court reviewed the ordinance language at first reading; no final vote was taken — state law requires ordinance second reading before adoption.

Commissioners’ concerns and suggested edits included strengthening decommissioning bond language (with a five-year re-evaluation requirement), consistent setbacks (several commissioners proposed uniform 500-foot setbacks from sensitive public uses), clearer definitions for \"prime farmland,\" and a proposed acreage cap (a draft limit of 1,200 acres for certain level-3 systems drew developer concern). Commissioner Conder warned that a long moratorium or overly restrictive limits could deter economic development.

Public commenters and developers: Kimberly Demarest, a property owner, told the court she supports solar in appropriate locations (rooftops, industrial zones, reclaimed mined land) but objected to industrial-scale projects on prime farmland and urged analysis of runoff and property-value impacts. \"A moratorium isn't about stopping solar. It's about doing it right,\" she said.

Lester Morales, senior project developer for NextEra Energy, urged cooperative engagement and noted the company follows state construction-certificate and permitting processes; he said pilot payment agreements and road-use agreements are common elements of project economics and local mitigation. \"The planning commission enforces what the fiscal court makes effective,\" Morales said, noting developers must also meet state siting board and environmental rules.

Mike Sullivan, representing Hillstone Development, said his company has invested significant pre-development funds in a smaller county project and raised concern that an arbitrary acreage cap could halt legitimate projects. He supported requirements for setbacks, screening and decommissioning bonds but asked that the county balance farmland protections with private-property development rights.

Judge Caslin and staff said the first reading and the recently adopted moratorium are intended to create time to refine ordinance language and allow more stakeholder meetings. The court signaled it intends to seek more detailed proposals on bonding calculations, setbacks, screening, pilot/tariff options and precise definitions for prime farmland before the second reading.","The court heard a first reading of proposed text changes to Article 8 of the Owensboro Metropolitan Zoning Ordinance concerning solar energy systems; residents, developers and NextEra representatives urged further engagement while some commissioners flagged specific edits including decommissioning, setbacks and acreage limits.",{"_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},6291024,"Daviess County fiscal court adopts 12-month moratorium on utility-scale wind and solar applications",1184,2193000,3377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d&start=2193&end=3377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6291024/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Daviess-County-fiscal-court-adopts-12-month-moratorium-on-utility-scale-wind-and-solar-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291024-7c7ba7acf0553ba3c1c95f45f23460bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084598&Signature=cg0CuFqH2ye2O5QFZdeLkuL4c~~Xk9Sw8Z5bsW9GblVJ3gMttPJjIEJdNIbqDU40oaOtt-bb0e4TWF355dzY1hXXxd91gZuUi7DfNTOWujXOgymBNtl~PX1tTU21GWSrXBz04D2xDP1HNc8WQE1fgBUVZ7CBiMDLR5JTTMaeYYlth5T31ExABsizZ7S7zMkGyqHo~PAtxpcyJR~oRdNEuZLeA0Mq0mgGJ6hWsAkLmwCYyAwXzHWNls-rM~dL0ijdNe5YaTla1TK3sgCdRb3LFLGWzY5UWnLA7ZcCHkCl~StFx5ZEacRmTem5C9DBPqP~2XAo4KqKXcyyeyUEn7CPUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Daviess County Fiscal Court voted 3–1 on Feb. 20 to adopt Resolution 03-2025, placing a 12-month temporary moratorium on applications and approvals tied to commercial utility-scale wind and solar energy systems.

The resolution — read into the record by the court and filed as Resolution 03-2025 — directs the county’s Board of Adjustments and the Planning and Zoning Commission not to accept, process or approve applications for conditional use permits, zone changes, preliminary plats or final development plans associated with commercial wind or solar energy during the moratorium period. The resolution also states the moratorium takes effect immediately and may be extended by the fiscal court.

Why it matters: Court leadership said the measure is intended to give county officials time to update zoning and decommissioning requirements. Daviess County staff had identified what the judge described as inadequate decommissioning bond language and the lack of a required re-evaluation cycle; the judge told the court staff found the bonds could be “drastically inadequate.”

Court debate and vote: Commissioner Cash said he supports solar in appropriate locations but favors updating local rules to protect neighbors and infrastructure. Commissioner Marksberry said he had concerns about potential flooding effects and wanted time to examine the consequences. Commissioner Conder opposed the moratorium, saying it kicks the can down the road and could deter economic development; he said he had attended regional hearings and done independent research. At roll call the votes were recorded: Judge Executive Caslin — yes; Commissioner Caslin — yes; Commissioner Marksberry — yes; Commissioner Conder — no. The motion carried 3–1.

Public comment: Several residents and industry representatives addressed the court before and during the vote. Kimberly Demarest, who identified herself as a nearby property owner, urged a yes vote and said the ordinance lacked protections for neighboring landowners, drainage/runoff, property values and fiscal transparency about tax flows. She said she supports rooftop and brownfield solar but not industrial-scale projects on prime farmland. \"A moratorium isn't about stopping solar. It's about doing it right,\" Demarest said.

Next steps: The judge and planning staff said the moratorium provides time for a more detailed text amendment process at the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC) and for joint work between developers, county staff and residents. Several developers said they would continue to engage in the process; representatives asked for clarity on definitions such as \"prime farmland\" and on how the county would measure acreage caps.

The court recessed the moratorium item for subsequent ordinance work; the moratorium takes effect immediately upon passage.","The Daviess County Fiscal Court approved Resolution 03-2025, a 12-month moratorium that pauses processing of conditional use permits, zone changes and related filings for commercial wind and solar while the county updates ordinance language.",{"_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},6291029,"Owensboro Health leaders present 2025 community report, warn of financial pressure from reimbursement trends",1429,111000,1540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d&start=111&end=1540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530276-5b6c138ed1886c60de1a0c3de1b62a4d/thumbnail_111000.jpg","/articles/6291029/Daviess-County/Kentucky/Owensboro-Health-leaders-present-2025-community-report-warn-of-financial-pressure-from-reimbursement-trends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291029-ad509233c947e8f847ccea1e19e6fdd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771084598&Signature=TTQxwNj8vXMa6saOrfcwKHFfLCHtMxNZjqph7UWEmPvFN3hOVXlF2t~MFjzhNdl46luq7818iSNwx-XJzrqZBxhuISBsX2JR5y7s2LdASSEv4CIR3XkinqlyLWfq3Zccs-DQulMaT1JbxvFm8RgI3bHAsTbiAnySvzdvMVcRCcDdkRR0Wguqj1oJr63~efYJdYEFyqN6DHOv2GZtRiZHZGGffyJKLM2-cru88YNf359JQeV33BoN~HgYU829e1kPLt90-CT8pGlP-d-~qz0ZUl-r9mxKB8nhijPlGMwUK2mwzdYDfX35wHg0tY0ZS3sBhe1-7mEcEu~CnkVS0TEsoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gavin Roberts, chair of the board at Owensboro Health, and Mark Marsh, an Owensboro Health presenter, told the Daviess County Fiscal Court on Feb. 20 that the system has expanded services and personnel while facing mounting cost pressures and reimbursement uncertainty.

Roberts said Owensboro Health’s footprint now spans about 17 counties and roughly 600,000 people, and that the health system is the largest employer west of Louisville with roughly 5,800 team members. Mark Marsh said the system recruited about 63 physicians in the last two years and reported an 88 percent physician retention rate.

The presentation outlined clinical growth — new specialists in neurosciences and radiation oncology, expanded primary-care access (an increase of about 30,000 primary-care visits over two years) and investments in technology and an innovation/education center planned to open later this year. Marsh said the hospital is pursuing a federal “age friendly” recognition for elder care and noted it is an early adopter of those practices.

Why it matters: Owensboro Health is a major regional employer and health provider; the court heard that trends in payer mix and rising operating costs could affect local access. Marsh warned that since costs have risen about 20 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic while reimbursement has not kept pace, the financial position of many hospitals remains “fragile.” He said 76 percent of Owensboro Health’s payers are Medicare or Medicaid and that shifts in those programs could force difficult choices.

The court’s members pressed Marsh on planning for potential changes in federal and state reimbursement. Commissioner Tonder asked how Owensboro Health plans given uncertainty in Medicare and Medicaid. Marsh said there is no exact answer but described ongoing cost-control efforts, nationwide coordination with other large systems, and discussions with federal representatives. Marsh added the health system has about 162 days of cash on hand at the stated $2.4 million daily operating cost level he referenced.

The presentation included community impact figures: Marsh said the 63 physicians recruited over two years generate a notional positive economic impact per industry studies and that payroll (salaries, wages and benefits) for the health system was about a half-billion dollars for the past year. He also described community grants distributed through the Owensboro Health foundation (about $750,000 anticipated for the year) and workforce education programs that have reached thousands of local students.

Court members asked operational questions: Commissioner Conner sought assurance that obstetric services remain available; Marsh replied that the hospital will not turn away anyone needing delivery, though he prefers established prenatal relationships. Marsh noted ER visits are up and said system leaders are monitoring access and developing clinics to preserve emergency capacity for true emergencies.

\"This is your hospital,\" Marsh said, emphasizing local ties and arguing the system aims to keep care close to home.

The court did not take formal action on the presentation. The exchange concluded with thanks to Owensboro Health staff and an acknowledgement from court members about the system’s local significance.","Owensboro Health board chair Gavin Roberts and presenter Mark Marsh briefed the Daviess County Fiscal Court on system growth, workforce, new services and fiscal pressures tied to rising costs and uncertain Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Daviess County Fiscal Court routine approvals, grants and procurement on Feb. 20

First reading of zoning text amendments prompts extended public comment and developer pushback

Daviess County fiscal court adopts 12-month moratorium on utility-scale wind and solar applications

Owensboro Health leaders present 2025 community report, warn of financial pressure from reimbursement trends