Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen delivered his fourth State of the County address on Thursday, focusing on the County’s financial position, record economic growth, and response to major natural disasters in 2025.
“We’ve made great progress this year thanks to the dedication of our staff and the support of our community,” Castlen said. “Together, we’re not just meeting expectations, we’re setting the standard for what a county can achieve.”
Responding to disaster
Castlen opened by recalling the March 15 hailstorm and April flooding that struck Daviess County, the worst flooding since 1997.
“Most hailstorms leave a small footprint. This one had a Bigfoot-sized footprint,” Castlen said.
He recognized first responders, volunteers, and employees across multiple departments who stepped up in the aftermath. Sheriff Brad Youngman’s office processed nearly 10,000 damaged vehicle titles. Solid waste crews managed construction and debris waste volumes at four times the normal rate for several months.
Public safety investments
Castlen outlined a series of public safety improvements, including pay raises for sheriff’s deputies, court security officers, and new hires for narcotics and patrol divisions. The County also created its first-ever cold case detective and added radar equipment to reduce speeding.
Volunteer fire departments received new capital funding for station repairs, including the Knottsville Fire Department’s parking lot. The fire hydrant program added 89 new hydrants county-wide.
The Daviess County Fire Department continued to build its paramedic capabilities. A new partnership with Owensboro Community & Technical College has already certified several firefighters as advanced EMTs, and by the end of 2026, more than half the department is expected to be certified at the advanced life support level.
Castlen also provided an update on the new public safety facility, which will house a fire station, EMA, the sheriff’s patrol division, and a backup 911 center. Design is more than 75 percent complete, with bidding expected in the spring.
Detention Center and staffing improvements
Significant salary increases were approved for deputy jailers after staffing shortages left the jail 17 employees short. Castlen said the raises helped improve recruitment and retention.
The county is moving forward with a $40 million expansion and renovation of the Daviess County Detention Center. The project will extend the facility’s life by 25 years. Thanks to minimal existing debt, the County can bond the project without overextending financially.
Litter control and solid waste upgrades
Castlen emphasized his commitment to cleaner roadways. A new contract with Gish Lawn and Landscape led to the removal of 13 tons of litter along high-traffic roads. The county’s Cash for Trash program, jail crews, and nonprofit groups collected another 50 tons — a total of nearly 63 tons of litter cleaned up in 2025.
Construction is underway on a new CDD (construction, demolition, and debris) pad at the transfer station, expected to open by the end of the first quarter of 2026. The project will improve safety, efficiency, and compliance with state law.
Castlen also celebrated the completion of the landfill gas recovery project in partnership with Redtail Renewables. The facility, which opened on October 31, captures methane gas and converts it into clean, marketable energy, all without using taxpayer funds.
Elections and technology
The County Clerk’s Office received new funding for updated election equipment, including 67 print-on-demand devices, 63 scanners, and more than 2,000 ballot-marking devices. The system improves accuracy, speeds up check-ins, and minimizes waste.
“We’ve never had hours-long lines to vote like in other places,” Castlen said. “Print-on-demand technology is one reason why.”
New hand-count audits are now required under state law for added transparency.
Economic growth and infrastructure
Since Castlen took office, he said, Daviess County has seen more than $415 million in new investment and 727 new jobs.
Road crews completed major projects in 2025, including repairs to Old Hartford Road and a box culvert replacement on Baird Road. The county plans to resurface nearly 13 miles of road in the next fiscal year.
Investing in people, places, and culture
Daviess County invested $3.8 million in parks, arts, and education programs in 2025. Through House Bill 202, $1.3 million was allocated to cultural organizations, including the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Owensboro Museum of Science and History, Owensboro Symphony, RiverPark Center, and Theatre Workshop of Owensboro.
The county also committed $2.5 million toward the new Senior Community Center on Carter Road, a long-discussed project that will open in 2026 in partnership with the City of Owensboro.
Castlen said the county remains committed to its role in the Kentucky Ohio River Regional Authority, supporting regional trail development, tourism, and outdoor recreation.
Closing message
“Thanks to the dedication of our staff and the support of our community, we’re building a stronger, more connected Daviess County,” Castlen said. “From emergency response and economic development to public safety and litter cleanup, we’re investing in the future while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”
