Knox City Council Meets Tonight for 2018 Budget Adoption, Final Reading of Salary Ordinance

The Knox City Council will assemble in City Hall this evening at 7 p.m. Council members will act on the second and final reading of the 2018 Salary Ordinance as well as the adoption of the 2018 Budget. They will also revisit the 2018 Fire Protection Agreement between the City of Knox and Center Township and Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Departments.

At the last Knox City Council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok requested a three percent raise across the board to help alleviate the inflation of particular prescription and health care costs after the city switched its health insurance provider.

The switch from Blue Anthem Blue Shield to United Healthcare did end up saving approximately $70,000 but it changed certain personal costs for city employees. Estok predicts the raise would help make up the difference.

The only department not included in the three percent raise would be part-time police force, which instead has a proposed increase from $14 an hour to $18 an hour. This request comes directly from Police Chief Harold Smith who is hoping that providing compensation similar to surrounding communities will incentivize more individuals to remain on the part-time police force in Knox.