The commissioners discussed road funding options, a facility study update and more…
ROAD FUNDING
Knox County may have the opportunity to double the amount of money it receives from the state for maintenance of county roads.
County Commissioner Larry Holscher says if the county implements an asset management plan it could apply for additional state dollars.
Holscher says the management plan would rate the condition of county roads on grading system of one to 10 with one being the worst. The management plan would require INDOT approval. The Commissioners authorized Donnie Mize to seek 3-bids from engineering firms who do this type of work.
Holscher says the county is due to receive 1-point-3 million dollars in new state funding for local roads and streets this year. He says 75 percent of the funding must go to repair streets and bridges in the county.
Each of the three commissioner districts will receive 340-thousand dollars which would pave an additional four miles of county roads.
PLANNING STUDY UPDATE
The Knox County Commissioners received an update last night on the facility planning study conducted by Architect Andy Myszak.
Myszak reported that they toured the probation and community corrections facility Monday. He says the third floor of the building is full of court records stacked where ever space is available. He says the same is true at the former County Poor farm.
Myszak hopes to complete his study and make recommendations to the Commissioners in the near future. Several office holders have complained of needing more space to house county records, but Commission President Larry Holscher says they need to assess which records need to be tossed out
County Attorney Dale Webster indicated that the Knox County Records Commission needs to be consulted due to the confidential nature of some of the court documents. He says there is a statutory timetable for shredding certain documents.
Myszak is also wanting to meet with department heads at another time to see what their wish list involves before he submits a final report to the Commissioners.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Knox County Commissioners approved a governmental certificate for solid waste. The certificate establishes a line of credit to address any issues with the Edwards Landfill. County Attorney Dale Webster says the Indiana Department of Environmental Management requires counties to show financial responsibility for any closed landfill by establishing a line of credit. The county has established a fund through German American Bank for up to 900-thousand dollars to address any environmental issues that may arise at the landfill.
In other business Monday: The Commissioners appointed Mike Montgomery as the new County Weights & Measures Inspector. He replaces Ed Vantiln who passed away recently.
The Commissioners also authorized County Maintenance Director Rick Carroll to go out and advertise for bids for the repair and replacement of the Boiler System at the Knox County Courth