Castlen details progress in county
Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen painted the picture of a community moving forward while also being fiscally responsible during his State of the County address to a packed room at Thursday morning’s Rooster Booster breakfast at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Castlen said his “first year in office has been spent listening and learning.” He also noted many of Fiscal Court’s accomplishments during his first year in office, of which none appear more important to the county’s long-term outlook than the continuation of broadband internet installation. Castlen said installation is accelerating on the project, with it more than 25% completed.
Fiscal Court committed $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the broadband project.
“For the first time, places like Panther and Pleasant Ridge have access to affordable, high-speed internet,” Castlen said.
Castlen noted significant improvements related to the Daviess County Detention Center, including a newly negotiated per diem for housing federal prisoners that will add $300,000-$400,000 a year in revenue, which will reduce the subsidy the detention center receives from the county’s general fund, which is $3.8 million in the current fiscal year.
“This is a direct savings for county taxpayers,” he said.
Castlen said the court’s decision to increase the pay scale for detention center employees has succeeded, with the 17 vacancies at the time the pay change was implemented having all been filled.
Fiscal Court’s subsidy to the sheriff’s office totaled nearly $3.7 million this fiscal year, allowing it to be at full staff with 25 patrol deputies — including three K-9 units — eight detectives and six command staff.
“We also funded updating an outdated patrol fleet (and provided) funding to support forensic investigations,” Castlen said.
Fiscal Court’s efforts to extend fire hydrants throughout the county moved forward in 2023, with dozens of new hydrants added in the Philpot and Knottsville areas as part of a water-line replacement along Jack Hinton and Short Station roads.
Castlen said the “near-future plan is to install nearly 100 hydrants that will serve more than 700 homes in the rural areas of the county.”
The county also installed new sirens for severe weather preparedness near Thruston-Philpot Fire Department and Southern Oaks Elementary School.
Fiscal Court partnered with McLean County to replace the insufficient bridge on Hall School Road. Castlen said two more bridge structures — on Indian Hill Road and Lyddane Bridge Road South — will be replaced this summer as part of a collaborative effort with the state.
“We look forward to continuing our aggressive roadway repairing program that will resurface about 20 miles this fiscal year,” Castlen said.
Castlen noted the completion of a 16.6-acre expansion of the county landfill. The project took two years to complete and is expected to add at least 10 years to the landfill’s usability.
“Much of this work was done in-house, saving (taxpayers) hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Castlen said. “I want to say a big thank you to (retired solid waste department manager) Robbie Hocker. He served our community well for many, many years. He and his experience, and leadership, allowed us to operate our landfill so well.”
Castlen said a new convenience center will be built this year at the Grimes Avenue transfer station. It will have 16 unloading bays for individual customers, with better traffic flow and a holding area.
“This is the primary destination for solid waste in Owensboro before it’s trucked to the landfill for final disposal,” said Castlen, who announced the solid waste department will pursue a rural development initiative. “This will help communities that are far from existing county trash facilities to clean up on designated days.”
Daviess County Animal Care and Control just completed its first full calendar year with a spay and neuter clinic. Dr. Julie Gray, the county veterinarian, performed more than 4,500 surgeries through a partnership with Spay-A-Stray Owensboro.
Three fenced-in play yards for dogs to exercise off-leash have been added at the shelter, and a soft-surface walking patch for dogs and volunteers to utilize is expected to be installed this spring. Castlen said the shelter had its highest number of adoptions and the fewest number of animals euthanized in at least 10 years in 2023.
Local rescue organization It Takes a Village has received a $34,000 grant to assist the shelter to further lower euthanasia rates.
“Thank Ashley Thompson for her work,” said Castlen in recognizing the shelter’s director. “Ashley has put together a tremendous team of volunteers and staff.”
Castlen said needed repairs to elevated trails at Panther Creek Park have been made, a concrete walk and ADA-compliant ramp to the lower soccer fields at Horse Fork Creek Park have been installed, and the upper and lower parking lots have been repaved.
“This next year we’ll be improving some of our picnic shelters and restrooms, and we have more activities planned,” said Castlen, who announced fireworks will return on the Fourth of July. “The parks department will be collaborating with community partners regarding utilization of our greenspace.”
In closing, Caslten mentioned the arrival of Contour Airlines, which provides daily jet service to Chicago.
“Huge win,” said Castlen of the importance of the carrier. “I would encourage everyone to fly out of Owensboro.”
Castlen encouraged everyone to visit the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the end of March when “Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey” debuts.
It’s a look at the early career of the “Grateful Dead” founder. Castlen said the county is also excited about hosting the 21st edition of ROMP this summer at Yellow Creek Park.
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer