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Knox County Council approves highway appropriations, a $1,000,000 Community Crossing Grant match and EMA purchases
Summary
The Council approved multiple appropriations and transfers on June 9, 2026, including $80,872.73 for bridge inspections (INDOT reimbursed), $258,511 carryover for Bituminous District 1, $70,000 for truck and tractor repair, a $1,000,000 Community Crossing Grant match, and a $35,929 EMA sandbagger purchase (6-1). Several prosecutor transfers and the sale of a 2012 distributor to Harrison County were also approved.
At its June 9 meeting the Knox County Council approved a series of appropriations and transfers to fund highway, court, emergency management and prosecutor operations.
Superior Court I Judge Gara Lee requested an additional appropriation of $10,000 to cover Guardian ad Litem claims through the end of the year. The motion, made by Jon Hillenbrand and seconded by Kevin Meyer, passed 7-0.
Highway department requests Superintendent Chad Reynolds presented multiple highway requests. The Council approved $49,536.83 and $31,335.90 in bridge inspection costs (total $80,872.73) to be reimbursed by INDOT (motion by Rich Chattin, seconded by Jon Hillenbrand). The Council also approved appropriation of $258,511 in carryover funds for Bituminous District 1 (moved by Rich Chattin, seconded by Jon Hillenbrand) and $70,000 for Road Truck and Tractor Repair (moved by Rich Chattin, seconded by Jon Hillenbrand). Reynolds reported the County was awarded the Community Crossings Matching Grant and the Council appropriated $1,000,000 in fund 9152 to pay invoices (motion by Rich Chattin, seconded by Jon Hillenbrand).
Emergency Management Agency EMA Director John Streeter requested $35,929 from fund 1170 (PSLIT County Share) to purchase sandbagger equipment; the Council approved the appropriation on a 6-1 vote (moved by Dan Reitmeyer, seconded by Mary Crismore). Streeter also noted a previously advertised vehicle purchase of $55,301.25 that the Council had approved at its May 12 meeting.
Prosecutor transfers and equipment The Knox County Prosecutor requested transfers from fund 2504 (Prosecutor User Fees): $2,500 to a part-time personnel line and an aggregate $4,433.18 to cover fleet and communication lines. The Council approved both transfer motions (moved by Rich Chattin, seconded by Dan Reitmeyer).
Other actions The Council approved the sale of a 2012 distributor to the Harrison County Highway Department (motion by Rich Chattin, seconded by Kevin Meyer; 7-0) and adjourned at 5:55 p.m. after approving the motion to adjourn (moved by Kevin Meyer, seconded by Jay Yochum; 7-0).
Next steps Most appropriations were approved unanimously; the sandbagger motion recorded one opposing vote (6-1). Several items, including superintendent vehicle needs, will be revisited at upcoming budget hearings where department heads are to present cost estimates.
