“It’s my honor and pleasure to report that Daviess County has money in the bank and we paid our bills on time.” That’s how Judge-Executive Al Mattingly started his 12th and final State of the County Thursday morning.
In the review of his tenure as Judge-Executive, Mattingly reflected on the decisions that have come under his administration. He said that included established White Flag Event days; the construction of a $6 million airport fire station along with the purchase of eight new fire trucks; a $60 million dollar new radio system for the first responders; and upgrades and increases to the number of sirens throughout the county.
“All these things don’t happen on a whim,” Mattingly said. “You have to identify problems, determine if it’s feasible to resolve the problem and then determine if you can afford to do the project. Then you move forward.”
Along with the work on infrastructure, he also mentioned the work toward new developments to benefit social life and the environment.
In recent years, his team was able to develop park grounds at Horse Fork Creek along with a spray park, as well as the Daviess County Gun Club.
He also noted the successes of the new Regional Real ID Office that issues driver licenses and permits and the county vet clinic at the animal shelter — both located at 2620 KY 81. The shelter offers low-cost spay and neuter services by Dr. Julie Gray, a recently hired veterinarian.
“[We] have enhanced more than the quality of life and business climate in Daviess County. We enhanced all of it,” Mattingly said.
Looking ahead at the next year for the county, he said the main focus is how to spend the $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated in 2021.
With initial guidance from the federal government, there are some plans on how to spend the funds locally — such as dedicating them for broadband internet access, water and wastewater.
Mattingly said that the best decision for the Fiscal Court is to use those funds in ways that make sure they have a long-lasting impact upon the community. He believes the best way to combine public and private partnerships is to bring high-speed broadband internet to the county.
There have also been suggestions to use the funds to provide affordable housing and day care to children throughout the county.
Looking beyond his term, Mattingly said he hopes to see the county partnering with more agencies. He also wants to see a stage built at Yellow Creek Park, a third county fire station, and more.
“These are only a few of the things that I think will happen in the future,” Mattingly said. “A future that we hold in our collective hands, but these things depend on us as a community working together for the greater good and planning together for a better and safer tomorrow.”
