The Knox City Council plans to revisit its ordinance regulating the operation of tattoo parlors within the city limits. Councilman Tim Mann raised the issue Tuesday night. He recently spoke to a man who wants to put a tattoo shop in town but is unable to do so because of the strict regulations governing such a business. Continue reading
Proposed Knox Salary Ordinance Includes Pay Raises
City of Knox employees could be getting pay raises in 2017. The salary ordinance adopted on first reading by the city council last night proposes a 1 percent raise for department heads and a 2 percent pay increase for employees. Mayor Dennis Estok is also proposing a 2 percent boost in compensation for members of various boards and commissions. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Schedules Town Hall Meetimg
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok wants to hear from citizens in an informal setting. He’s scheduled a town hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. Continue reading
Knox Sets Up Dedicated Unsafe Building Fund
The City of Knox now has a separate fund for building demolition expenditures and deposits. Last week the city council approved the transfer of $15,000 into a dedicated unsafe building fund. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston says the seed money it will make for easier accounting.” Continue reading
Knox Mayor Unveils Performance Stage Rendering, Seeks Input
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok is ready to focus on the next planned Wythogan Park improvement. He shared a rendering of the proposed band stage with the city council Tuesday evening. The 18×30 foot structure will sit in the grassy area between the park entrance and the splash pad. Estok wants to use local fieldstones for the retaining walls and columns to mirror the columns at the park’s entrance. Continue reading
Knox Considers Road Cut for Apartment Complex
The City of Knox may use unrestricted funds from the state to improve access to a local apartment complex. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Discusses Fireworks Parking Options
Parking will be available at Wythogan Park in Knox for tomorrow’s activities leading up to the fireworks display, but it will cost you. The city is charging $10 per car to park inside the gates. Mayor Dennis Estok says they probably have room for between 200 and 300 vehicles. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Outlines Road Project Proposals
The City of Knox hopes to leverage matching grant money from the state to complete up to five road improvement projects. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last night each is a separate proposal on the application that’s being submitted to the Indiana Department of Transportation. The state awarded one-time Local Option Income Tax distributions to cities, towns and counties, on the condition that 75 percent of that money must be used for infrastructure improvements. Knox got a total LOIT distribution of $268,000. Continue reading
Knox Schedules First Blight Elimination Demolition
The City of Knox is finally ready to tear down the first of eight houses slated for demolition through the blight elimination grant program. The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority requires the first demolition be documented as part of the grant process. Continue reading
Knox Officials Struggle With Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are creating an issue for the Knox Wastewater Department. Superintendent Kelly Clemons told the board of works last week the plant treats an average of 300,000 gallons of water per day in dry weather. She says amount more than doubles when it rains due to the number of gutters, catch basins and sump pumps tied into the sanitary sewer system. Continue reading
Knox Splash Pad Opens
Knox residents celebrated the official opening of the new splash pad at Wythogan Park Saturday. Mayor Dennis Estok joined city officials, contractors, as well as local children for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Continue reading
More Infrastructure Updates Possible at Wythogan Park
The City of Knox wants to continue improving water service in Wythogan Park. Continue reading
Splash Pad Ribbon Cutting, Car Show Scheduled in Wythogan Park
The ceremonial ribbon cutting for the splash pad in Wythogan Park will kick off a day of activities in downtown Knox. Continue reading
Ribbon Cutting Scheduled for Knox Splash Pad
The splash pad in Wythogan Park is ready for summer. Knox Mayor Dennis Estok is hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the city’s newest attraction on Saturday, May 28 at 11 a.m. Members of the public are invited. Continue reading
Knox Council Denies Business Tax Abatement
A Knox business is not in compliance with the terms of its tax abatement. The Knox City Council previously deferred action on the Selected Furniture property tax abatement compliance review to allow someone from the company to attend their meeting. Nobody showed up last night. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Elaborates on Independence Day Celebration Plans
A full day of activities is planned in downtown Knox on Saturday, July 2nd prior to the city’s annual fireworks display. It will take place at Wythogan Park this year instead of at the Starke County Airport. Continue reading
Knox Mayor Moves Dirt to Finish Splash Pad
Knox Mayor Dennis Estok has some sweat equity in the splash pad project at Wythogan Park. He spent Wednesday moving dirt at the site in preparation for additional concrete work. Estok says the target opening date is Saturday, May 28th, but they’re cutting it close. Continue reading
Knox Council Approves Band Stage Funding
The City of Knox did not receive a grant to build a band stage at Wythogan Park, but that doesn’t mean the project will be scrapped. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council last night the city has received a $10,000 anonymous donation for the project. The Knox Redevelopment Commission has also set aside $40,000 for it. Continue reading
Habitat for Humanity Eyes Knox for Future Home Site
Starke-Pulaski Habitat for Humanity officials would like to work with the City of Knox to get some properties back on the tax rolls. Executive Director Steve Morrison told the board of works last week the goal is to help families with young children have a decent place to live by providing them an interest-free mortgage on a decent home in exchange for “sweat equity.” If you need a cash offer to buy your dream home, Reali Cash Offer helps everyday buyers like you make a cash offer on a house. Continue reading
Knox Considering Recycling Container Change
Knox residents can weigh in on their choice of recycling container by either contacting city hall or returning the insert included with their water bills. The city council is contemplating a switch from the open totes that are picked up weekly to a 65-gallon wheeled container with a lid. Waste Management would supply them for free and collect recycling every other week. Residents would not incur an additional cost. Continue reading
