MOUNT VERNON — Knox County Sheriff Daniel Weckesser briefed the county commissioners Thursday on current jail operations, reporting 79 inmates — 15 women and 64 men — as of June 24.
Staffing continues to improve, with three jail and four patrol applicants in the pipeline. If all four patrol applicants make it through, the sheriff’s office will be “plus one” on the patrol side.
However, a recent jail hire resigned and returned to his previous employer.
“We’ve been working on filling open positions. I hope by the end of the year that we’re fully staffed, but we’re working hard on that,” the sheriff said.
Weckesser reported crews completed several maintenance projects at the facility:
•Repainted a dorm room to remove graffiti.
•Completed fence and gate upgrades around the evidence room and recreation area.
•Replaced three unmarked vehicles that have reached end of service.
•Installed a new camera system.
“The other ones were, they are just outdated. These are all new,” Weckesser said of the cameras. “I haven’t actually gotten into the system and looked at it yet, but from what I understand, it’s working well and everyone likes it.”
Work progressing on Knox County Transit center
County Administrator Jason Booth said progress on the Knox County Transit building has reached the drywall stage.
“Modern Builders is doing a good job, and we seem to be on pace and on schedule for the project as of now, so things are on pace for that project,” he said.
The goal is to complete the renovation by the end of October. However, installing the elevator is delayed until city crews complete infrastructure work on North Norton Street.
“Until they get that resolved, we can’t bring in a crew to start putting the elevator shaft in, so that’s the only thing that’s a little worrisome,” Booth said.
The aging courthouse elevator is currently working, but bringing it up to current standards continues to prove challenging due to the building’s age, limited shaft size, and mechanical requirements.
The city should paint the crosswalks on East High and Chestnut streets this week or next, as well as reinstate the parking spots on East Chestnut.
Commissioners award bids for new office building, window replacement projects
Shrock Premier Custom Construction won the bid to construct an office building for the water and wastewater department.
Shrock submitted a bid of $1,136,000. The architect’s estimate was $1.1 million. Five other companies submitted bids:
•Classical Construction $1,180,000
•Country View Construction $1,206,587
•Fiorilli $1,318,975
•Modern Builders $1,222,888
•Robertson Construction $1,535,285
Last week, the Board of Commissioners awarded the bid to replace windows in Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities New Hope Early Education Center to Modern Glass, Paint & Tile Co.
Modern Glass bid $114,944; the architect’s estimate was $210,000.
Modern Builders also submitted a bid of $206,088.
Legislative action includes decision on senior levy renewal
The board took additional recent actions:
•Approved placing a renewal levy for senior citizens on the November ballot
•Approved a grant easement for Rodney and Carolyn Newell for an easement on Columbus Road. The commissioners did not approve Newell’s second easement request on Updike Road.
•Appointed Judy Gregg to the Mental Health & Recovery Board for Knox & Licking Counties.
•Approved a School Resource Officer contract with Centerburg Local School District.
•Accepted a $163,300, 36-month service agreement between the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Flock Group Inc for hardware, software, and professional services relating to the Flock Safety Platform.
•Approved advertising for bids for the Danville-Amity Road Phase 3 safety improvements.
•Approved putting $10,074.08 worth of delinquent water and wastewater accounts onto the property owners’ property taxes.
•Released permissive auto tax funds to the city of Mount Vernon for Terrell Drive improvements.
•Approved a letter of support to Knox Community Hospital’s application for the Rural Health Transformation Program for the Healthier Ohio initiatives.
•Approved the labor agreement between Knox County Department of Job & Family Services and Local 657, Ohio Council 8 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, effective July 1 through June 30, 2029.
