Castlen’s State of the County: Make our community stronger in 2024
Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said he and his staff tried to address every challenge they could in 2023 as he listened and learned during his first year in the seat. Heading into year two, he hopes to keep that same momentum with a goal of helping make the community stronger.
One of the first projects for 2024 will be to construct a new convenience center at the Grimes Avenue Transfer Station. He said the new center will have 16 unloading bays for individual customers with better traffic flow and a holding area.
Castlen also noted that 2023 was the first full calendar year for the Daviess County Animal Shelter’s Spay and Neuter Clinic (which officially opened in July 2022). He said more than 4,500 surgeries were performed last year. Renovations were also completed to add 3 play yards for dogs to exercise, and this spring a new soft surface walking path will be added.
“While our shelter has not escaped the nationwide problem of overcrowding, we had the highest number of adoptions and fewest number of animals euthanized in the last 10 years,” Castlen said.
Due to these efforts, Castlen said that the local rescue organization It Takes A Village has received a $34,000 grant to assist the shelter in lowering its euthanasia rates even further.
Speaking on infrastructure, Castlen said the County plans to resurface 20 miles of road this year through their annual roadway repair program.
Castlen added that they plan to improve some of the picnic shelters and restrooms at the County parks, allowing them to better host more activities for the family such as Easter Egg hunts and Fourth of July fireworks.
“Moving forward, our Parks Department will be collaborating with community partners for greater utilization of our green space,” Castlen said.
The Parks and Recreation staff was restructured in December as former Director Ross Leigh was named outreach director while Jordan Rowe was chosen to fill the role.
Castlen said the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department received a $3.7 million subsidy from the County, helping the agency get fully staffed with 25 deputies. He added that the Daviess County Detention Center received a new per diem rate for federal prisoners, resulting in an estimated $300,000-$400,000 in revenue. DCDC also started 2023 with 17 vacancies but by the end of the year was able to fill all positions.
Touching on a few smaller projects, Castlen said the Daviess County Emergency Management Agency installed two new storm sirens near Thurston-Philpot Fire Department and Southern Oaks Elementary School.
He said the County’s efforts to increase fibernet access for rural residents led to 700 homes adding service in 2023, and they are looking to reach 100 more. The project is being paid for with $1.17 million in ARPA funding.
Additionally, Castlen noted the County’s partnership with the City in getting Contour Airlines to join the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport.
Looking ahead, Castlen also noted the anticipation for this summer’s ROMP Fest with Dierks Bentley as the headliner.
Closing out, Castlen said the Fiscal Court is working hard to listen to the community and take on projects that benefit as many people as possible.
“We [at the Fiscal Court] have an open door and a strong desire to collaborate to make our community stronger,” he said. “May we work together as equal partners to achieve great things in our community.”
By Josh Kelly The Owensboro Times