MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Thursday morning was short and to the point.
First up was a public hearing to consider a request by Small’s Sand & Gravel Inc. to have brine applied directly on No. 9 gravel for ice control. Since no members of the public were present to oppose Small’s request, the commissioners unanimously approved the proposal.
The second item on the agenda concerned a tax abatement requested by Rolls-Royce. Speaking on behalf of the company, Area Development Foundation president Steve Waers said the proposed new building for which the abatement is requested would mean the retention of 300 jobs. He said the Mount Vernon City Council, the Mount Vernon City Schools and the Knox County Career Center have passed resolutions to approve the 100 percent tax abatement which would be in effect for 15 years. The schools will be held harmless, he said, which means they will still receive from Rolls the funds that would have been generated by the tax. The Board of Commissioners subsequently passed a resolution to approve the abatement.
