The City of Knox will formally establish an alley between Portland and Bower Streets. Continue reading
Knox Council to Consider Establishment of New Street
The Knox City Council will convene prior to their scheduled 7 p.m. meeting at the site of a proposed new street. Steve Dodge previously asked the council to turn the alleyway next to his property at 801 Bower Street into an actual street since it is frequently used as a shortcut. Council members are meeting there at 6:30 p.m. to look at the site. Continue reading
Knox City Council Receives Budget Update
Prior to the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, City Clerk-Treasurers Jeff Houston met with a field representative with the Department of Local Government Finance in order to discuss the projected budget and budget calendar. Continue reading
Knox City Council Discusses Community Center Modifications
During the Tuesday evening Knox City Council meeting revisions to the Community Center were considered. New thermostats will be put in place to help reduce heating and cooling costs. There was also some discussion about replacing the current roof with a metal one. Continue reading
Knox Street Department to Inspect Alleyway
During their meeting yesterday evening the Knox City Council acted on a request from a citizen that was initially brought to their attention during a meeting earlier this month. At the July 15th meeting, local resident Steven Dodge presented a petition to establish a street on an existing city right-of-way to divert people away from the unofficial alley currently being used on his property at 801 S Bower St. At that meeting Dodge also showed the council research dating back to 1895 that showed a 33-ft-wide street was dedicated there between Portland and Bower streets. Continue reading
Knox Fireworks Gate Fees Exceed 2014 Total
City of Knox Independence Day fireworks gate fees, at the Starke County Airport, totaled $3,660, topping the $3,100 total from 2014. Knox Mayor Rick Chambers told the City Council when it met Tuesday evening, that the top total was the 2009 event, which was $3,750. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves Pay Raise
The Knox City Council has approved a 2-percent salary increase for employees in 2016. Council members and members of the Planning Commission, and the Zoning and Park Boards, dog catcher and crossing guard are not included in the increase. Continue reading
Final Salary Ordinance Approval on Knox Council Agenda
The Knox City Council has a meeting scheduled for tonight at 7 pm in City Hall. The Council will have their final reading of the 2016 Salary Ordinance. Treasurer Jeff Houston said this is in preparation for an upcoming budget hearing, “We have a budget meeting with the field representative from the Department of Local Government Finance on the 27th of July.” he said. Continue reading
Knox Salary Ordinance Includes Smaller Pay Raises
City of Knox employees will get smaller pay raises next year than they are used to. The salary ordinance passed on second reading last night by the city council includes 2-percent raises for full-time employees. Typically their salaries increase by 3-percent annually. Continue reading
Knox Council to Consider Salaries, Calendar Dates
The Knox City Council will consider a salary ordinance for the upcoming year on second reading when they meet this evening. The agenda for their 7 p.m. session also includes possible passage of calendar dates for 2016. Those dates were previously given to council members for review in anticipation of action tonight. The Knox City Council will also review a tax abatement for Selected Furniture.
Knox Council Approves Second City-Wide Yard Sale
Knox residents can have yard sales on Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 without applying for permits from the city after action Tuesday night by the council. They agreed to schedule a two-day city-wide yard sale during the Harvest Festival. Continue reading
Knox Officials React to “Poorest Town” Ranking
Knox has earned the dubious distinction of being the poorest town in Indiana. The financial news website “24/7 Wall St.” compared the median household income of communities to the average in their state. According to their figures, Knox has a median income of $30,300, compared to $48,248 statewide. Continue reading
Salary Ordinance Discussion on Knox Council Agenda
The Knox City Council will discuss the 2016 salary ordinance when they meet this evening. It’s one of several items on the agenda for their 7 p.m. session. Other agenda items include discussion of calendar dates for next year and possibly conducting another town-wide yard sale during the Harvest Festival in September. The council will also consider approval of a contract with Four-Way and discuss a proposal from NIPSCO to establish an electronic vehicle charging station.
Knox City Council Defers Action on Yard Sale
Knox officials have not decided yet whether to schedule a second city-wide yard sale during the upcoming Harvest Festival in September. They are considering having a sale Sept. 17-21. During last night’s meeting, city council members said they need more time to research the availability of clothing recycling centers and dumpster rentals before making a decision.
Knox Council to Consider Second Town-Wide Yard Sale
The Knox City Council could set a second four-day town-wide yard sale during the Harvest Festival. They will consider tentative dates of Sept. 17-20 when they meet this evening. Yard sale permit fees are waived during the town-wide events. Continue reading
Knox City Council Approves Comprehensive Plan
The Knox City Council reviewed the newly completed comprehensive plan during their meeting on Tuesday night.
The members commented that a lot of hard work was put into the committee meetings to come up with a vision for the city in the next five years. The comprehensive plan contains needs and wishes of members of the city that includes downtown projects, improvements to Main Street, the addition of signs and other features on South Main Street, beautifying the area around the schools and Sandy Acres Park, and an improvement to the Parkview area. Also included in the plan is an infrastructure and utility extension from Main Street to County Road 200 South.
Knox City Council to Consider Comprehensive Plan
The Knox City Council will review the proposed five-year comprehensive plan when they meet tonight.
The comprehensive plan contains needs and wishes of the city that includes downtown projects, improvements to Main Street, the addition of signs and other features on South Main Street, beautifying the area around the schools and Sandy Acres Park, and an improvement to the Parkview area. Also included in the plan is an infrastructure and utility extension from Main Street to County Road 200.
Knox City Council Receives Funding Request from Community Services of Starke County
The Knox City Council discussed a request for funding from Community Services of Starke County.
The city council anticipates this request each year and $500 was already included in the budget for this year. The organization helps residents with transportation and nutrition needs for the elderly. Residents who need assistance with food use the food pantry to feed their families.
Starke County EMA Director to Plan Training
Local officials will soon receive training in case of a train accident.
Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Ted Bombagetti is gathering information to present to firefighters, police officers, and department heads. The material presented will help those officials identify what is in the cars and how to react.
Mayor Rick Chambers told the Knox City Council this week that he and Bombagetti were discussing the issue as a train rolled through the city. Many trains make their way through Knox on a daily basis, and it’s not always known what materials are contained in tankers.
A session will be scheduled soon to help prepare officials in the instance of an accident.
Inspections Conducted on Homes Set for Demolition
Inspections have been conducted on the Knox homes included in the grant from the Indiana’s Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination Program.
Mayor Rick Chambers said that the inspectors from the state checked for oil containers, paint, round fluorescent bulbs, and newer thermostats. Those items need to be removed from the homes before they are demolished.
