Daviess County Fiscal Court on Monday held the first work session for its 2024-25 budget, which includes no tax rate increases.
County Treasurer Jordan Johnson said that General Fund revenues are expected to remain steady, with a $500,000 budgeted increase in property taxes due to higher property values. The County also expects a 3.4% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in the next fiscal year.
The proposed budget broken down by department is:
- Total Budget Appropriations: $113,048,686
- General Fund: $58,793,224
- Road Fund: $7,123,900
- Jail Fund: $11,691,612
- Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA): $271,500
- Economic Development: $1,770,000
- Bond Fund: $3,066,500
- Solid Waste Fund: $24,480,950
- American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fund: $5,500,000
- County Clerk Permanent Storage Fees Fund: $351,000
Johnson noted the largest threats to the budget are unstable fuel and energy prices, inflation and supply chain issues, lower-than-expected solid waste revenues, and reductions in State funding.
The Sheriff’s Office subsidy will sit at just over $3 million. Two budgeted fund transfers to the Road and Jail funds will result in the two departments having $2.87 million and $3.41 million, respectively. According to Johnson, the Jail Fund decreased roughly $400,000 due to fewer capital projects and decreased employer retirement contribution rates.
The Jail Fund is expected to receive $3.4 million in revenues from State prisoners, while Federal prisoner revenue is expected to be $2 million.
The Solid Waste Fund revenues are projected to remain constant, with expenses managed by the fund.
County Commissioner Larry Conder additionally noted that another threat to the budget could be the impact of House Bill 5, which would largely affect the Daviess County Detention Center, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and Owensboro Police Department.
“I would like to have Jailer Art Maglinger come to the Fiscal court to address some of the unintended consequences of that bill. … There have been a lot of discussions about what that bill is going to do. Incarcerations are bringing up the rate of individuals or the number of people that go into our jail,” Conder said.
County officials are also looking to make investments in improving their parks. Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said he is aware that restrooms at County parks — specifically at Yellow Creek Park — are in “pretty poor shape.” Castlen said they are also looking to improve the shelters there.
“With that being the premier site for ROMP Fest, I think it’s important for us to make an investment and to improve those,” Castlen said.
To view the agency breakdown, click below.
