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Knox County approves appointments, contracts and pay requests; board pauses some Mary Davis renovations
Summary
The board approved a slate of routine appointments and contracts, awarded a low-bid auditing contract, authorized pay applications on nursing home projects (including a pause/triage for work at the Mary Davis facility), and approved purchases including three sheriff pursuit vehicles.
At its March 25 meeting the Knox County Board approved a series of routine appointments, contracts and pay requests and discussed how to manage work and materials for the Mary Davis home after the facility’s planned closure.
Appointments and proclamations: The board approved appointments to the Knox County Board of Health (Dr. Joshua Carpenter, Doug Gibb, Stephanie Grimes and Susan Venson), new members of the Knox County Housing Authority (Anthony Law and Jance Spalding), a reappointment to the Galva Fire Protection District (Josh Hopping) and an appointment to the Gellsburg Sanitary District (Rick Welty). The board also approved a proclamation recognizing National Public Health Week.
Contracts and procurement: The board awarded auditing services to the incumbent low bidder at $62,400 for 2026 with scheduled step increases for 2027–2029, following a competitive bid process. It approved a three-year contract for True Roll deed software (packet reported a three-year total figure and provided an annual breakdown). The motion to award the True Roll contract passed 11–2.
Vehicles and claims: The board approved purchase of three 2026 Dodge Durango Pursuit vehicles for the sheriff at $84,424 each, funded in the budget; the roll call recorded eight "yes" votes and five "no" votes and the motion passed. The board also approved claims and manual payments, including $2,776.82 in mileage/premium claims and county invoices for Feb. 26–Mar. 25, 2026 totaling approximately $2,277,854.26.
Nursing home projects and Mary Davis: The board approved MSI pay application number seven for nursing home performance work for $330,484.99 and Hine MSI pay application number eight for the Mary Davis home project for $558,355.50. Members discussed that Mary Davis may close; staff said safety-critical items (fire systems, parts of the roof) must continue but asked the contractor for a comprehensive list of remaining work so the county can pause nonessential items, examine purchased materials for reuse or return, and avoid paying for unnecessary work. Officials said the full savings will not be known until they can compare operational data over months.
Next steps: departments will supply inventories and itemized lists of remaining work and staff will pursue vendor returns or declare materials excess under county procedures where appropriate. The board will receive follow-up information in committee.
