Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday night, July 11th.

After a 15-minute closed session the Court voted 5-0 to accept the gift of the old Morgantown Mall from Elmer Day, the mall's owner. No plans for the mall were mentioned.

Magistrates briefly discussed the proposed mandatory fire dues ordinance. County Attorney Dick Deye told the Court he had reviewed an ordinance proposed by County Fire Chiefs, and that there were several major differences between their ordinance and an ordinance based on the Edmonson County Fire Dues plan. The plan proposed at a meeting between Emergency Management Director Richard Henderson and the County Fire Chiefs uses a sliding scale to set the fee rate for different types of property, i.e.; residential, agricultural, industrial, commercial, etc. Fourth-District Magistrate David Whittinghill told the Court that PVA Suzanne Brosnan has stated that one flat fee will be required in order for her office to administer the dues.

Deye also said that a system needs to be made to allow for payment to out of county fire departments that cover areas inside Butler County.

Magistrate Whittinghill told the Court that districts could be divided into sections such as 4th District 1 & 2, to separate areas covered by out of county fire departments. After a question concerning the Bear Creek Fire Department turning its coverage area back over to the 4th District Fire Department, Whittinghill stated that a plan to give that area back had been scrapped. He said that residents didn't like the change because it would have affected their fire coverage and could have potentially caused their insurance rates to rise.

Deye said he needs more time to develop an ordinance for Butler County. Magistrate Stevie Givens suggested that a meeting be held between the Fiscal Court, the Sheriff, PVA, and County Clerk before moving forward with the ordinance. No action was taken.

Magistrate Whittinghill reminded the Court again that the Butler County Recycling Center has no pickup truck. Whittinghill said that the Center currently borrows a truck from the County Road Department, and that using the truck will become difficult when the Road Department starts chip-and-seal work and other fall projects.

According to Whittinghill, a new Chevrolet pickup can be purchased at state contract price for approximately $30,000. He said the Recycling Center can use part of its grant money to buy the truck and still have approximately $3,000 remaining. If the county waits to buy the truck after the new model year vehicles come out Whittinghill said the higher prices would force the Center to use most of its grant money.

Judge-Executive David Fields proposed that if a truck is bought it should be a Chevrolet 2500-Series 4WD with a crew cab, identical to trucks used by the Road Department. Fields said Hooks Chevrolet in Louisville has the state contract, but a truck might be found somewhere else at a lower price.

The Court voted 5-0 to buy a truck, but will do price research and make a final decision on where to buy at their next meeting.

Advertising for a full-time operator for Reeds Ferry was approved by a 5-0 vote. Current Reeds Ferry operator Charlie Childress will retire on August 31st. The position will be full-time with an annual salary of $24,000, and will include benefits. The starting date for the new operator will be August 22nd, with a 60-day probationary period.

When the floor was opened for discussion Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree told the Court that Logan County is repaving North Logan School Road. A portion of the road is in Butler County. Tyree said that in the past Butler and Logan Counties have worked together on roads that are in both counties. Two-tenths of a mile of the road is in Butler County and Tyree would like the entire road repaved, not just the Logan County section.

This year the Third District doesn't receive any road aid monies, so Tyree asked if there is a way to move approximately $7,800 in road monies from the Fourth District to the Third District. Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill said he will consider the proposal. No action was taken.

In other business a 2% cost of living raise was approved for county employees. The Court also approved payments from the $100-Mile Litter Abatement Program for; Provo Rural Development-$607.00, and Temple View General Baptist Church-$610.00.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News