Knox Parks Department to Benefit from Gator Purchase Approved by City Council

The Knox City Council approved the purchase of a John Deere Gator when they met last Tuesday.

Mayor Dennis Estok explained that the City has been considering purchasing a Gator to assist the individual who mows the lots around town. He currently pushes his mower from place to place because he doesn’t have anything to cart it around in. Estok added that it could also be utilized to supervise events down at the park.

Additionally, the Parks Department has been looking into options for a Gator with four seats to replace the one they have which only has two. Continue reading

Knox City Council to Hold Work Session Over Budget Prior to Regular Meeting

Knox City Council members will hold a work study session to discuss the 2019 Budget before their regularly scheduled meeting tonight.

The work session will start at 6:15 p.m. At their last meeting, members decided to hold this session in order to get more familiar with all the details surrounding the proposed budget prior to the public hearing over it which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11th.

The council’s regular meeting will start at 7 p.m. Continue reading

Knox Clerk-Treasurer Delivers Community Center Renovation Project Update

Knox Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston updated city council member about the ongoing renovation project at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center at this week’s meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Houston said the project is nearing completion, with just a few minor things remaining. He noted that they will, of course, still have to deal with upkeep and maintenance but for the most part, the major renovations are all finished.

During Tuesday’s meeting, he informed them about the function behind the most recent addition. Continue reading

Local Officials Share Wage Concerns with Secretary of Career Connections and Talent

Starke County officials listen to a presentation by Indiana Secretary for Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo.

Making sure Starke County’s wages keep up with the rest of the state is one of the challenges local officials shared with Indiana Secretary of Career Connections and Talent Blair Milo. During her visit to Knox Wednesday, Milo highlighted the thousands of new, higher-paying jobs that Indiana businesses have added in recent years.

Continue reading

Knox City Council Holds Hearing Over Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvement Project

Knox City Council members held a public hearing and considered two resolutions related to the proposed improvement project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant when they met this week.

At the start of Tuesday’s hearing, KIRPC Community Development Planner Emily Albaugh reminded those in attendance that the City of Knox is applying for OCRA’s Wastewater Drinking Water grant. Continue reading

Knox Mayor Reports Pearl Street Paving Has to Wait Until Aging Pipes Are Replaced

Paving on Pearl Street that was originally listed as one of the Community Crossings Grant projects for the City of Knox will have to wait.

Mayor Dennis Estok told city council members last Tuesday that the brick road on Pearl Street that was originally supposed to be paved cannot be included in this year’s grant application due to some older pipes that are underneath the road. Continue reading

Budget Update Presented at Knox City Council Meeting

A reminder about the importance of staying on schedule when it comes to budget matters was provided at Tuesday night’s Knox City Council meeting.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston alerted members that the budget process is currently in underway. He noted that the first step is to balance out the month of June and then come mid-July, he will meet with a field representative from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Continue reading

Knox City Council Extends Waste Management Contract

Knox City Council members considered extending the City’s garbage services contract with Waste Management when they met on Tuesday.

Public Sector Solutions Representative Melinda Antell came before the council to go over the proposed contract extension. She noted that initially she presented a five-year contract to Mayor Dennis Estok but he requested the shorter, three-year contract extension. Continue reading

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Knox City Council members will consider granting a tax abatement for Selected Furniture LLC when they meet tonight at 7 p.m. in Knox City Hall.

Project street print, which has been discussed briefly in past meetings, will be covered again tonight. Officials have been discussing the cost associated with painting the city emblem on sections of road in town as well as considering potential locations. Continue reading

Knox Clerk-Treasurer Free to Begin Budget Process After City Council Approves Fund Transfer

Knox City Council members had to move a little money around before the budget season begins.

When members met at the end of May, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston explained that the budget process will begin in June. He noted that all accounts need to be in black and alerted them that there were only two funds that needed attention before he could proceed. Continue reading