The Knox City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance abolishing Knox City Court during their meeting Tuesday night.
During the discussion, Knox City Court Judge Charles Hasnerl was acknowledged to speak. He requested to table the first reading so the City Court may have an opportunity to reply to the ordinance. He added he was recently been made aware of the council wanting to move forward with abolishment.
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok said the council has been talking about abolishment of the City Court for two years. He added this year the county was made aware of the council’s intention.
Previous council conversations on the topic indicated that City Court is not financially self-sustaining.
Judge Hasnerl said he was not there to dispute that information but that he was requesting the council to table the first reading giving time for the court to reply. He added there was no discussion with him that the ordinance was coming up for a vote Tuesday night.
Council member Don Kring apologized to Judge Hasnerl for the misunderstanding but believed the council should continue with a vote on the first reading. He added the commissioners, Starke Circuit Court Judge Hall and the council knew about the first reading being held and assumed Judge Hasnerl had known.
A motion was passed unanimously to approve the first reading of the ordinance.
Mayor Estok then stated this was just the first reading and the second reading will be held during their next council meeting. He added there will be plenty of time for the City Court to reply.
