The Starke County Council approved the Inter Local Agreement involving Knox City Court during their meeting Monday.
Starke County Attorney Justin Schramm advised the council he has been in contact with Knox City Attorney Autumn Ferch and Knox Mayor Dennis Estok on drafting the inter local agreement. Both attorneys have confirmed the agreement has the county reimbursing the city for the costs of city court bi-annually.
County Attorney Schramm stated the local agreement being drafted, if approved, will start in 2024.
It was mentioned the city council plans on having this done before their year end meeting Tuesday, December 27 where they will announce the future of Knox City Court moving forward.
During Monday’s commissioner meeting, the commissioners heard from County Council President Dave Pearman. Pearman asked the commissioners if they would entertain meeting in a special session between now and the end of the year in hopes of approving the agreement by the city council’s deadline. The commissioners stated they have yet to receive a copy of the agreement and would like adequate time to go over what is being put together.
During that evening’s county council meeting, the inter local agreement was approved unanimously. All that is needed now is the approval by the commissioners.
Since that time, the commissioners have decided to meet in special session today at 9:00 a.m. CT in hopes to approve the agreement before the city council meets tonight.
