SCEDF Helps Knox Officials Get to the Bottom of a CEDIT Account Deficit

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver spoke with Knox City Council members about an estimated deficit in the city’s CEDIT account at their meeting last Tuesday.

Back in October, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that he received a notification from the Department of Local Government Finance indicating that there would be a projected loss of revenue of $34,908 for next year. He told members that sometimes those figures can be off but also assured them that the SCEDF was working with representatives from Umbaugh to get to the bottom of it.

At the most recent council meeting, Weaver informed members that after speaking with the city’s financial advisor Todd Samuelson of Umbaugh and Associates, he had a better understanding of why next year’s numbers are lower than the figures from  2017. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Approves New Vehicle for Building and Code Compliance Officer

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The purchase of a new vehicle for the Knox Building and Code Compliance Officer was approved at last night’s city council meeting. Compliance Officer Kenny Pfost has been utilizing his personal vehicle since the old city-issued vehicle broke down.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the $36,000 needed for the vehicle purchase will be split up between three separate accounts. He said that $10,000 would come out of the cumulative capital development repairs and maintenance fund, $8,600 would be from rental registration and $17,400 will be come from the edit account for the Knox Industrial Park. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox City Council will discuss funding for a new building and code compliance vehicle when they meet at 7 p.m. tonight. They will also consider the 2018 Holiday Schedule as well as the City Council and Board of Works meeting schedules for next year.

The council will receive a report from Ron Gifford of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston will also provide reports. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Continues Conversation over Downtown Parking Problems

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A previously considered council item was visited once again at the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday. Council member Bertha Blue asked Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston what he found regarding the city’s rules about vehicles obstructing sidewalks.

Houston said while researching, he was unable to locate a local ordinance but he did find a state statute that specifies parking is prohibited on sidewalks. He said while that would technically be enforceable, he thought the terms were not realistic for Knox.

“If you use the state statute,” Houston explained,  “you’re looking at real big fines and stuff so we probably want to write a new one for the city.” Continue reading →

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

No specific action or discussion items are listed on the agenda for the Knox City Council meeting being held tonight at 7 p.m. in Knox City Hall.

The council will hear reports from Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston and Mayor Dennis Estok. There will be time allotted toward the end of the meeting for citizen’s comments and council items.

In recent meetings, council items included the potential striping of Culver Road and an ordinance pertaining to parking downtown. There is a possibility these items will be revisited tonight but they are not specifically listed on the agenda.

Public Hearing over 2018 Budget Held During Knox City Council Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City Council held a public hearing over the 2018 budget during their meeting Tuesday night. If you missed it, don’t worry, the budget can be seen online through the Indiana Gateway for Government Units website. Click here to access the 2018 Budget for the City of Knox.

During the hearing, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston went over specific items on the notice to the taxpayer. He explained that the max civil levy is the maximum amount of money that is allowed to be collected from property taxes. The estimated max civil levy is $1,567,438. He also described that the tax cap, the amount of money not allowed to be collected based on the classification of particular properties, is $221,292. The estimated general fund is $1,563,107. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Votes to Increase Volunteer Fire Department Pay

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
 

During the Knox City Council meeting last night, members considered a change to the Fire Protection Agreement between the City and the Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department.

As things were, volunteer firefighters would receive $10 per call, regardless of the time spent at a location. Mayor Dennis Estok said that whether they’re there for five minutes or five hours and they would still only receive $10. After attending a meeting recently Mayor Estok saw a need for an adjustment. Continue reading →

Knox Community Center Building Corporation Simplifies Payment Process for Renovation Bills

Posted on Author Michael Gallenberger

As upgrades to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center get underway, the Knox Community Center Building Corporation has taken steps to simplify the process of paying the bills for the work. The building corporation recently extended the community center’s loan by five years, to pay for a new roof and upgrades to the heating and cooling system, among other improvements.

Continue reading →