The Knox County Council has voted unanimously to oppose the repeal of local invasive species controls and the disbanding of the county’s Weed Control and Invasive Species Boards. The action came during Tuesday night’s council meeting, when all seven members agreed to sign and send a letter urging the County Commissioners to stop the repeal effort.

Councilman Rich Chattin said the letter represents the Council’s support for preserving local ordinances dating back to 1986 and expanded in 2018. “Our county is the only one in the state with this kind of ordinance,” Chattin said. “That should be a point of pride, not something to get rid of.”

The move comes one week after the County Commissioners passed first readings to repeal the local rules in a 2–1 vote, with Commissioner Kellie Streeter opposing. Commissioner T.J. Brink argued that the county ordinance bans 20 plants not restricted elsewhere in Indiana and places local vendors at a competitive disadvantage. Streeter countered that the rules were created to protect agriculture and had bipartisan support.

Chattin commented that the issue affects all county residents, regardless of political affiliation, and said repealing the ordinance would undo years of collaborative conservation work.