Jerry A. Ambs

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and pledge, followed by a presentation from Amanda Owens of Puzzle Pieces, acknowledging a $1,000 contribution from the Kentucky County Judge Executives Association to the nonprofit. The Treasurer's report for January 2026 indicated a total cash balance and noted underperforming revenues in the jail fund due to inmate premiums, with a planned fund transfer to correct this. Several items were approved, including the minutes from the February 10, 2026 meeting and all claims for all departments. Contracts were approved for stage rental services ($2,000) and production services ($7,500) with The Eric Group for events at Yellow Creek Park, as well as a $15,000 contract with Star Pyro for the July 4th fireworks display. The renewal agreement for the Employee Assistance Program with Owensboro Health was approved at $22.50 per employee per year. Resolutions were passed to establish subdivision street lighting districts for Saddle Point Units 2 and 3. An ordinance amendment (KC921.68901-2026) was approved to extend the temporary moratorium related to zoning text amendments until August 31, 2026. Proposals were accepted for creating a plat ($5,200) and designing a water main extension ($11,000) for the future Davis County Public Safety Facility. Bids were awarded for the Kurtly Annex roof cap replacement project ($147,700), office renovation at the Schzinger building ($27,500), community notification siren upgrades ($52,470.66), and eight new tarp systems for waste transfer trailers ($24,758.40). A citizen inquired about trash debris from the Grimes Avenue Transfer Station route.

The meeting involved various fiscal and administrative actions. Key items included the approval of minutes from the February 22, 2022 meeting, approval of claims for all departments, and approval of fund transfers totaling $570,000 to the road fund and $800,000 to the convention center for bond payment. The Court approved an administrative code amendment concerning the county paying for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) testing costs, subject to employee retention terms. Other business included approving the 2022 Fair Housing Resolution, a modification to the intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. Marshal Service, approval of facility use agreements for polling places, and a professional services contract with Grad for CDBG grant administration. The Court also discussed the Kentucky Pride Fund composting grant application for a new compost screen machine and approved a new rate schedule for ammunition at the gun club. Finally, bids were awarded for landfill cell construction, rebuilt wheels for a compactor, and replacement track chains for a dozer, as well as a contract for Sheriff's office renovation design services. An ordinance amending Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Ordinance text related to flexible zoning and solar farms was also approved.

The meeting addressed several agenda items requiring approval. These included the approval of claims for all departments and an annual authorization allowing the judge executive to execute and submit court-approved documents for efficiency. Key contractual items involved approving a contract with the Green River Area Development District for administrative services for the Stanley Park lighting project, and approving annual playground lease agreements with the Board of Education of Davis County, the Dascese of Owensboro, the Stanley Playground Association, and the Whitesville Playground Association. Furthermore, the Court approved a concessions contract with the Owensboro Davis County Babe Ruth League for operating concession stands at Panther Creek Park. Financially, the Court considered a funding request from River Park Center Incorporated for a projected $300,000 shortfall for fiscal year 2025-2026, funded by unencumbered transient room tax reserves. Approvals were also granted for professional services proposals from Sky Engineering for electrical design services related to the detention center boiler replacement and East Station HVAC replacement. Additionally, a change order for the transfer station CD and D concrete pad project was approved, and bids for heavy equipment (frontend loader, excavator, rolloff truck, pickup truck) were rejected due to pricing being outside acceptable ranges, with plans to rebid. Finally, appointments were made to the Davis County Water District Board and a promotion within the Building and Grounds department was approved.

Key considerations for the meeting included a proclamation recognizing the "No Egg Left Behind" Community Outreach Program and the declaration of a Local State of Emergency via Executive Order No. 02-2026. Items for approval encompassed various resolutions concerning Kentucky Highway Projects to widen KY 3143 (Fairview Drive), establishing a Subdivision Street Lighting District for Woodland Ridge Unit 10, and approving agreements and contracts for PREA Audit Services for the Daviess County Detention Center. Further approvals involved a Facility Use Agreement with the Owensboro Sportscenter for the May 2026 Primary Election, annual incentive payments for 2026 to several county officials, various design services contracts with Axiom Architecture, professional service proposals for concrete project inspections, change orders for landfill and transfer station projects, rejection of a bid for the Probate-Small Claims Security Project, and the award of bids for a concrete drive project and an air compressor. The court also approved the hiring of Mike Page as Deputy Director of Emergency Management. Discussion items included a first reading of an ordinance amendment and public comments.

The meeting commenced with opening prayer and the pledge. Key discussions included the presentation of the Treasurer's Report for November 2025, noting total cash balances and operational funds. The court officially received the 2025 property tax bills receipt. An update was provided on Executive Order 13-2025 concerning the Parks and Recreation Working Committee membership. Approval was sought for the minutes from the December 4, 2025 meeting and subsequent claims for all departments. The court reviewed and approved the 2026 budgets for the Davis County Clerk's Office and the Davis County Sheriff's Office, which included COLA adjustments, merit increases, and new personnel requests for the Sheriff's Office, necessitating a subsidy. A discussion followed regarding the Sheriff's Office staffing levels in relation to Kentucky State Police coverage. Further items included approval of a 10-year lease agreement with Music Ministries Incorporated for tower space at Greenwood Cemetery, ratification of a security services agreement with the Sheriff's Office, and approval of the annual update to the Davis County Detention Center policy and procedure manuals. Finally, the court approved the second reading of an ordinance authorizing the establishment of regulations concerning speed limits, stopping, parking, and vehicle operation on county roads.