On a 2-1 vote once again, the Knox County Commissioners gave final approval to an ordinance repealing a more exclusive Knox County invasive species ordinance. The repeal means a list of 20 invasive plants that were eliminated under the County ordinance are now allowed to be planted in Knox County.
With the repeal of the 2018 ordinance, the County will now follow the less-restrictive Indiana state standard. A similar repeal also eliminates a 1980’s vintage ordinance setting up a noxious weed review board.
Commissioner Kellie Streeter—opposed the repeal. She still believes the tougher County list was needed to protect agricultural and other interests. Streeter also feels any economiic benefit to the repeal doesn’t outweigh the cost of allowing the 20 formerly banned species in the County.
Commissioners T-J Brink and Tim Ellerman the Second voted for the repeal; both did so without comment last night. However, when the repeal was up for first reading, Brink explained his reason for reversing the ban. In his earlier comments, Brink said it was to correct a disadvantage to Knox County landscapers selling the targeted plants. In his earlier comments, Brink also stated no other Indiana county has an ordinance banning those plants for sale or use.
Comments