The Knox Park Board members discussed increasing employee wages during their meeting last week.
Board member Lora Estok asked to revisit the wage increases as the workers have worked for the city parks a long time and are doing a good job. They had just approved an increase during their last meeting, but asked to give a bigger increase.
The board approved a raise up to $13.14 during the board’s last meeting.
Mayor Dennis Estok noted that the money is available for the increases and the salary ordinance could be adjusted when the Knox City Council works on the budget in the next few months.
The board approved another adjustment to $14.25 which was unanimously approved by the members present.
The board also approved the placement of two sets of cornhole boards at Wythogan Park and at Sandy Acres Park, and a gaga ball pit at Wythogan Park.
The board will be looking at LED lights for baseball fields at Wythogan Park. Estimates will be collected by contractors to install the LED lights and energy savings could be realized with NIPSCO. The board will also be looking to update security cameras and internet service at the park.
The board thanked Hill Excavating for the donation of playground equipment. The playground equipment was carefully disassembled from the Union-North United School Corporation and certain pieces will be installed at Wythogan Park and at Sandy Acres Park. Recreation Manager Dennis Fornelli said it is nice equipment and could replace some of the outdated pieces at the park.
Fornelli also reported that over 300 kids are participating in baseball leagues this summer and leagues start Saturday, June 1. All of the kids will walk down to the park and have an opening day with a police escort, a 21-gun salute, and fireworks. A new field is being completed. All pitcher mounds are installed and some bases have been replaced. Kids will be in uniforms this year, but t-ball players will still be in t-shirts. Several towns are involved in leagues this year.
Fornelli said he is looking at kickball and wiffle ball leagues.
The next meeting will be Monday, June 24 at 5:30 p.m. CT at Knox City Hall.
