MOUNT VERNON — By a vote of 6-1, Mount Vernon City Council approved a resolution to allow the city to apply for a Transportation Enhancement Grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation. The grant would be used to rehabilitate two bridges along the Kokosing River dike to connect the rails-to-trails system within the city. Councilman at large Mike Hillier cast the lone negative vote.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis addressed the Knox County Commissioners last week seeking a partnership between the city and county to cover the 20 percent of matching funds that would be necessary to cover the $745,000 price tag for the project should the grant be awarded to the city. The commissioners said the county could not afford to appropriate any funds but would agree to give the city several parcels of land along the dike, as well as a smaller bridge, that could be utilized in the project.
samantha.scoles@mountvernonnews.com

