Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court convened for its regular session on Monday, July 13, at the Butler County Courthouse. All magistrates—Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant—were present.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed purchase of a fire truck for the Fourth District Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). Kirk Atkinson presented detailed information to the Court regarding the acquisition. The VFD intends to purchase a 2001 Rosenbauer International Pumper, with a total cost—including additional items—of $70,000. The VFD proposed a $7,000 down payment and requested to finance the remaining balance with Morgantown Bank & Trust at a 5.75% interest rate over seven years. Atkinson stated that the VFD has approximately $31,000 in combined checking and savings accounts. After the down payment, the VFD would retain $24,000 in available funds.

The Court was required to co-sign the loan. After addressing several questions, the Court voted 4-1 in favor of co-signing the note.

Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill cast the only dissenting vote. Beech Tree News obtained the following statement from Whittinghill after the meeting:

“There is no need to spend approximately $80,000 of constituents' money on a 25-year-old truck. While they claim to use state aid funds, that is still taxpayers' money,” said Whittinghill.

“The truck costs $63,000, yet they are borrowing $70,000. My understanding is that $7,000 will be immediately given to the bank as a down payment, essentially meaning the down payment is also being borrowed. I question the legality of this approach. As of December 2025, there was a three-year plan to purchase a newer truck, and the fire department was debt-free with funds in both checking and savings accounts.”

 

In other business, Butler County Clerk Sherry Johnson presented an amended first-quarter budget and a second-quarter budget. Receipts totaled $6,512,977.53; disbursements were $6,308,102.59; with excess fees amounting to $204,874.94.

The Court approved the second reading of a one-year Data Center Moratorium. Judge/Executive Tim Flener appointed a board—consisting of Allen Smith, Stevie Givens, and Chris Burden—to oversee the process.

Butler County Schools requested the Court sign a letter of support for their application to the Promise Neighborhoods federal grant—a $5.5 million award over five years. The local match required is approximately $1,000 per year. The Court agreed to submit the letter of support.

The Court approved the allocation of 2026-2027 LARP Funds totaling $253,000 to blacktop Possum Hollow Road.

The Court approved the Jail Inmate Work Crew Contract in the amount of $114,000.

 

The Court also approved the following additional items:

-Bills and transfers

-Woodbury RV transient tax

-Quarterly/year end treasurer’s report

-June Monthly treasurer’s report

-Transfer of $35,000 from General Fund to Jail Fund

-Transfer of $10,000 from General Fund to E911

-Appointment of Sarah Duncan to the Butler County Public Library Board of Trustees

-Homeland Security Grant Resolution

-Fourth District VFD treasurer’s Report