About Knox County Indiana

Know County of Indiana is one of the original two counties created in the old Northwest Territory in 1790. The county seat is Vincennes, the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in Indiana.

 

Government Structure

Knox County Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners is responsible for the administration of all county business not assigned to other offices. There are three seats on the Board and all must reside in separate districts. Although, all three are elected by the entire county. Each member serves a four year term with the elections for each staggered to different election years.

Some of the Board's responsibilities include:

  • Enact county ordinances
  • Preparation of the part of the budget over which the Board has control
  • Payment of claims according to adopted budget
  • Entering into contracts for the county
  • Building and maintaining county roads and bridges and property
  • Establish voting precincts
  • Provide polling places and the necessary equipment to conduct elections within the county
  • Appoint county officials as authorized
  • Fill vacancies of elected officials in the event of death or disqualification

Knox County Council

The County Council has the financial powers of the county. They alone adopt the county's annual budget, set the tax rate and institute the tax levy. The Council is the only entity that can borrow money for the county.

There are seven seats on the Knox County Council. One is elected from each of four districts and three are elected from the voters of the entire county. There terms are four years in length and are staggered with various seats being determined on each election year.

Knox County Treasurer

The County Treasurer is responsible for sending out bills for taxes on all local real and personal property and collects the money for those taxes. By virtue of this office, the Treasurer is also a member of the Board of Review.

Knox County Auditor

The County Auditor is the "bookkeeper" of the county. The Auditors duties and responsibilities include:

  • Distribute the funds collected from taxes to the government agencies for which they were collected
  • Record all property transfers
  • Update the county plat book
  • Serve as secretary to the Board of Commissioners
  • Serve as secretary to the County Council
  • Serve as secretary to the County Board of Review

Knox County Surveyor

The County Surveyor surveys and keeps records of the "sections and corners" in the county. The Surveyor also supervises the construction and maintenance of drains and ditches. The Surveyor is a non-voting member of the Drainage Board.

Knox County Clerk

The Knox County Clerk is the Clerk of the Circuit Court. This officer is responsible for keeping all court records including wills and other estate records.

The County Clerk is a member of the Board of Canvassers and the Board of Election Commissioners, and as such, is responsible to conduct elections within the county. People seeking to be elected to public office must file their candidacy with the County Clerk. People seeking to vote within the county must register with the County Clerk.

The County Clerk issues marriage licenses and professional licenses within the county.

Knox County Assessor

The County Assessor supervises each township's assor. and appraises estates for inheritance taxes. He is supervised by the State Board of Tax Commissioners and can be removed from office by that board.

Knox County Coroner

The County Coroner is a peace officer and is the only county officer that can act as Sheriff or arrest the Sheriff. The Coroner conducts death investigations, holds inquests and files reports with the County Clerk regarding death by violence or accident.

Knox County Recorder

The County Recorder records all liens, mortgages, deeds and other public records within the county.

Knox County Prosecuting Attorney

The County Prosecuting Attorney may serve on a part-time or full-time basis and represents the public in all criminal and some civil cases. Partially funded by the State of Indiana, he may be assisted by an investigator and one or more deputies prosecutors.

Knox County Sheriff

As an officer of the Knox County Courts, the Sheriff serves warrants, subpoenas and all forms of criminal and civil papers within the county. As the chief law enforcement official, the Sheriff is in charge of the county jail and placement of convicts and committed persons to charitable placement or correctional institutions.