ROCKLAND – At their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 8, in chambers at the Knox County Courthouse, the Knox County Commissioners set a new mil rate for county taxpayers, agreed to purchase a vehicle to be stationed on North Haven for the Sheriff's office, moved to accept nominations for the airport advisory committee and recognized eight county employees for their length of service.

The meeting marked the first time Knox County Commissioners streamed their meeting on the Internet. The funds to do so were appropriated in the county's 2016 budget. Though the meeting was termed a trial run, a link will be supplied on the county's website for future meetings.

Eight county employees were recognized for their service to the county in a small ceremony before the commissioner's meeting got underway.

Recognized were Nathaniel Jack, Patrol Deputy for five years of service; Mark Kunz, Airport Maintenance, for five years of service; Stephen Dearborn, Corrections Officer for 10 years of service; Linwood Lothrop, Knox County Communications Center Director, for 15 years of service; Madelene Cole, Deeds Clerk for 15 years of service; and Carol Emory, Judge of Probate, for 25 years of service.

Absent from the awards were Patricia Speck for 10 years, and Shane Riley, for 15 years.

Commissioners set the county's mil rate for 2016. Last years mil rate came in at 0.0009662521 with a tax assessment coming in at $7,001,946 that included a two percent overlay.

This year's mil rate was set at 0.0009983619 with a tax assessment of $7,292,087, that includes the two percent overlay.

Knox County did not receive its state valuations until January 27.

Knox County Airport Manger Jeff Northgraves asked commissioners to approve a press release asking for nominations to fill four seats on the Airport's public Advisory Committee (APAC). Seats to be filled were the Owls Head seat, District 1, Flying Club seat and Commercial Pilot seat.