Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held its regular monthly meeting for July on Monday night. All members were present.

First on the short agenda was the appointment of two members to four-year terms on the Butler County Library Board. The Library Board suggested Brenda Longhoffer and Judy Hughson, whose names were presented to the Court by Judge-Executive David Fields. First District Magistrate Stevie Givens moved to accept the nominations, with Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree seconding the motion. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.

Next the squires handled amendments to the Butler County Personnel Policy. The amendment changes the probationary period for new hires from 90 days to 60 days, and activates holidays and benefits after 60 days as opposed to the 90 day current language. The measure passed 5-0.

The squires voted next to give Butler County Employees their annual 2% raise in pay. The motion was made by Stevie Givens and seconded by Chad Tyree and passed 5-0.

$100-Mile litter abatement payments were next approved by the Court. The Woodbury Masonic Lodge #280 received $690, and the Butler County Shrine Club was paid $666. Magistrates approved the payments with a 5-0 vote.

An amendment to the Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget was next on the agenda. The Court appropriated a total of $669,426 dollars for projects in the coming year. The monies include $74,800 from surplus funds and $74,800 in matching state grant funds to build boat ramps on the north side of Green River at Woodbury, $500,000 dollars in total funds for the McKendree Chapel road and bridge projects, and $19,826 for the first lease payment on the new Caterpillar backhoe. The first reading of the amendment was passed 5-0 after a motion from Stevie Givens and a second by Chad Tyree. The second reading will be at the next monthly meeting.

The Court next handled a bookkeeping matter requested by state government. Due to an oversight the state requested that the Court pass a tax rate for 2012 for the Butler County Health Department. The squires passed 5-0 a motion to set the rate at 2.25¢ for every $100 assessed property value.

The Court next moved to advertise the 2012-13 audit in lieu of the Treasurer’s full settlement. This is a routine motion handled yearly by the Court and passed 5-0.

Richie Bratcher from Butler County Cancer Assistance asked to be added to the agenda and addressed the court following the posted agenda business. Bratcher thanked the Court for its support in the past and reported that BCCA is currently helping more than 60 cancer patients in Butler County. Bratcher told the court that BCCA allots $400 per quarter per patient and seems to have new patients coming in for assistance every week.

Bratcher then asked the Court for $10,000 in funding and reported that he planned to ask the City of Morgantown for the same funds.

Judge-Executive David Fields spoke to the Court and Bratcher concerning the request saying, “I know you’re doing a great job, but that right now is a significant amount of money for us.”

Some discussion opened with magistrates expressing support for BCCA, but also concerned because the 2013-14 budget has been already passed. Magistrate Stevie Givens told Bratcher that BCCA might have to wait until next year to request funds, and suggested they do so before the budget is drawn and passed. Magistrate Keith Daugherty expressed his support for BCCA. Said Daugherty, “Butler County Cancer Assistance does help people in Butler County. I can back (Bratcher) up 100% on that. It’s a good program.”

No action was taken but Judge Fields told Bratcher, “That’s a whole lot to throw on us tonight,” and invited Bratcher to return to the August meeting for further discussion and consideration of the request.

Judge Fields then reported to the Court and County Road Supervisor Timmy West that former state engineer Mark Mudd, a Butler Countian, has changed jobs and will be able to lend his expertise to county road construction projects. Timmy West told Fields that his assistance might be needed, and reported that the joint road project with Logan County is approximately half completed. West also reported that he will be making cold mix on July 10th and 11th, and that the Road Department should start patching and chip and seal work on July 15th.

No other items were on the agenda and the meeting was then adjourned.

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Story by Joe K. Morris, BtN/WLBQ.