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Knox County board approves routine contracts, equipment purchases and budget actions; Land Bank decision tabled
Summary
At its Sept. 24 meeting in Galesburg, the Knox County Board approved multiple contracts, equipment purchases and budget actions — including $101,602.50 for three sheriff investigator vehicles — and tabled a $49,668-per-year land bank agreement pending more review.
The Knox County Board on Sept. 24 approved a series of routine contracts, construction draws and budget actions while tabling a proposal to join a regional land bank.
At the meeting in Galesburg City Hall Council Chambers, the board voted to buy three 2026 Chevrolet Traverses for investigator use at a total cost of $101,602.50 under state bid pricing. A board member said the sheriff called hours before the meeting to report that one investigator vehicle had broken down while responding to an incident, and members emphasized the vehicles would be used without permanently mounted radios or markings to limit extra costs.
The board approved a number of contracts and evaluations aimed at property tax uniformity: a $12,500 contract to re-evaluate 25 county fuel stations and a $9,900 contract to re-evaluate six grain elevators for the 2026 assessment year. The board also approved a $38,545.18 enterprise upgrade to convert systems to ARC Pro through Pro West and Associates after committee members said the selected vendor best met the bid criteria.
On the county's health and long-term care budget, the board approved an agreement negotiated with the nursing home's bargaining unit to raise registered nurse and licensed practical nurse wages to competitive local levels; the roll call registered 11 ayes, 3 nays and 1 abstention. The board also approved smaller capital items for the county nursing home, directing staff to solicit bids for a replacement ice machine and an Apollo tub after committee reports that current equipment is failing.
Other routine approvals included several project draw payments, adoption of the 2026 holiday calendar consistent with the judiciary's schedule, and approval of claims against the county totaling $2,547,030.16. Board members said some draws are being paid from project loans rather than the tax levy.
Votes at a glance - Purchase of three sheriff investigator vehicles: approved, total $101,602.50 (roll-call tally recorded as 12 ayes, 3 nays). - RN/LPN wage MOU at county nursing home: approved, 11 ayes, 3 nays, 1 abstention. - Contract: re-evaluate 25 fuel stations by Property Evaluation & Tax Advisors LLC: approved, $12,500. - Contract: re-evaluate 6 grain elevators: approved, $9,900. - System upgrade to ARC Pro (Pro West & Associates): approved, $38,545.18. - Coroner fee schedule amendment (adds discretionary waiver footnote): approved, 13 ayes, 1 nay. - Claims against Knox County for 08/28/2025'09/24/2025: approved, $2,547,030.16.
The board tabled a proposed intergovernmental agreement to join a regional land bank after members said they had not had sufficient time to review an IGA and financial details; the chair reported an estimated annual cost of $49,668 that would not include the cities of Galesburg or Abingdon. Several members argued the county should defer action until more members have the packet and can consider budgetary implications.
The meeting concluded after committee reports and the board set its next regular meeting for Oct. 29, 2025, at 6 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.
