Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in special session on Thursday afternoon, September 19, 2013 to deal with a short, routine agenda. Present were County Judge Executive David Fields, Judge’s Secretary Kim West, and magistrates Stevie Givens, Johnny Tuck, and David Whittinghill.
Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward needed Court approval to order a 2014 Ford Explorer SUV Interceptor. Ward told the Court that K9 Deputy Chris Reneer is presently using a Chevy Tahoe purchased in 2011, and that the vehicle has several problems. Chief among the shortcomings of the Tahoe is a drop in fuel mileage. The sheriff said the vehicle is only getting approximately 8 mpg, and that he has spent over $700 dollars in recent weeks trying to fix the problem.
No county funds will be used to pay for the new interceptor. The first payment on the lease from Lease One Magnolia will be $7,730.26 and will come from the Sheriff’s drug fund monies. He said that other payments could come from other sources, but all the funds will come from the Sheriff’s Office budget, and not from Butler County general fund money. Ward said that he is required to take the purchase before county government for approval and that the County Judge Executive has to sign the lease documents.
Magistrate Stevie Givens moved to approve buying the interceptor, and Johnny Tuck seconded. The motion passed with a 3-0 vote.
The Court next approved payments from the County’s $100-Mile Litter Abatement fund. The Court voted 3-0 to make payments to; Boy Scout Troop #192-$600, BCHS Boys Basketball Boosters-$692, BCHS Study Abroad Club-$756, and Salem Baptist Church Youth-$678.
There were no other items on the agenda and the meeting was then adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News/WLBQ1570AM