Tired of seeing trash pile up along roadways, Daviess County officials have taken a new step to address the issue — hiring a contractor to clean up high-traffic routes. They’ve also revamped the existing Cash for Trash program for nonprofits.
Daviess County Fiscal Court has approved a contract for roadside litter collection, awarding the job to Gish Lawn and Landscape LLC. The company will clear litter along 118 centerline miles of County roadways three times per year, focusing on major thoroughfares that are too risky for volunteer groups.
Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said the initiative has been a long time coming.
“It’s frustrating when we drive down the highway or even take a short walk from (the courthouse to a temporary office a few blocks away) and see the litter,” Castlen said. “But the reality is, we have to do better, and this is the first step. Hopefully, everyone will jump in and participate.”
The county is funding the contract using money from the state’s Litter Abatement Program, allowing for cleanup along state-maintained highways. The agreement aligns with the existing Trash for Cash program, which pays nonprofit groups to help with litter collection.
Castlen said he looked at how other counties manage their cleanup efforts and worked with Treasurer Jordan Johnson to improve the bidding process.
“Instead of a lump sum bid, we structured it like a farm purchase — where bidders submit a per-mile rate rather than an overall total,” Castlen said. “They submitted bids at different per-mile rates, and we ended up with $180 per mile.”
Castlen noted there will be an accountability measure in place,, with before-and-after photos taken to verify the work.
He also said that the County had been underpaying nonprofits participating in Trash for Cash, offering $100 per mile, which was lower than rates in many other counties.
Starting this year, groups participating in Cash for Trash can expect to be assigned five miles, including both sides of a road, with a reimbursement rate of $130 per mile.
Applications are being accepted now at daviessky.org/trashforcash.
Trash for Cash is open to federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. The group must be located in Daviess County and submit a W9 form.
Applications will be reviewed for approval by Daviess County Fiscal Court on a first-come, first-serve basis. Upon acceptance into the program, Fiscal Court will assign a clean-up date and route based on the preferences in the application.
Call the administrative office with any questions at 270-685-8424.
The expanded Trash for Cash program is supported by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet along with the Daviess County Solid Waste Operating Fund.
To report roadside litter on a county road or state highway (outside the City of Owensboro), visit daviessky.org/trashreport.
