Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held its first monthly meeting for June on Monday night.

One item of old business awaited the Court, discussion of the proposed mandatory fire dues ordinance. Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill asked if needed changes had been made to the proposed ordinance. Emergency Management Director Richard Henderson told the Court he had met with county fire chiefs about procedural elements of the ordinance, along with other changes. County Judge Executive David Fields told Whittinghill that meetings were also needed with the PVA and Sheriff about the ordinance. No action was taken.

Without discussion the magistrates passed the budget for fiscal year 2016/17 on a 4-1 vote. Second District Magistrate Johnny Tuck voted against the budget.

The Court voted 3-2 in favor of raising the 911 surcharge on landline telephones to $4. The surcharge was $2 before the increase. The rate hike has become necessary due to the continued decrease in landline subscriptions, which has led to a budget shortfall for 911 dispatch.  The no votes came from Johnny Tuck and Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill.

Jailer Terry Fugate brought a change to the Butler County Jail's Policy and Procedures Manual. The Department of Corrections has mandated that all jails must have four staff members on duty at all times. Fugate said he currently has three staff members on duty at all times. According to Fugate the jail can comply with the change, or close.

The Court approved the change by a 5-0 vote.

Fugate also asked the magistrates to do something about a persistent problem with the air conditioning for the jail and sheriff's office. He told the Court that state law says prisoners can't be housed if the temperature is over 85-degrees. Fugate said the temperature reached 83 in the jail on Monday.

County Judge Executive David Fields told the jailer that he is looking into financing a new heating and cooling system for the jail and sheriff's office through KACo, but no action was taken.

The Court opened and awarded bids for road maintenance materials for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Scotty's won the bid for bituminous concrete asphalt. Emulsified asphalt will be supplied by Asphalt Materials, Inc. Cold mix was awarded to Green River Materials, along with crushed stone. Bluegrass Materials will be used as a backup supplier of crushed stone, but Judge Fields made it clear they should only be used if Green River Materials doesn't have a particular product.

Some discussion was had about using Bluegrass Materials if trucks were closer to their facility. Andrew Gabbard with Green River Materials said that some crushed stone could be stockpiled at the County Road Department Barn. Gabbard also assured the Court that the quality of their products continues to improve. He and County Road Department Supervisor Jonathan Deweese both said the stone is cleaner than in years past and comparable to the stone offered by Bluegrass Materials.

The bid for road tile was awarded to both companies that submitted bids; Metal Culvert, Inc. and Hagan & Stone Wholesalers. Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree moved to use the supplier that had the lowest price on the tile needed because an across-the-board low bid couldn't be established.

There was no bid for petroleum fuel. Magistrates approved the bids by a 5-0 vote.

In other business payments were approved through the $100-Dollar Mile Litter Abatement Program. The payments go to; Andrea's Mission for Men-$600,  Andrea's Mission for Women-$594, Reedyville Lodge #438-$591, and Butler County Board of Education/BCHS FCCLA-$602.

The Court accepted the sheriff's final property tax settlement, pending final audit. Approval was given to Judge David Fields to sign the Workman's Comp Renewal Agreement with KACo. Approval was also given for Fields to sign IRS Form 720 and issue a check to the US Treasury in the amount of $73.78. Judge Fields was also authorized to sign the annual Aging Services Donation agreement with the Barren River Area Development District.

The purchase of a camera and other equipment needed to record and archive Fiscal Court meetings was approved by a 5-0 vote. Richard Henderson reported to the Court that the cost of the equipment would total $675.94 and would cover the cost of a camera, tripod, extra batteries, and a hard drive for storage.

Approval was given to issue a check to the Butler County Clerk in the amount of $206.29 for tangible property taxes.

Magistrate Bobby Moore told the Court that citizens had been complaining about speeders on Dexterville/Oak Ridge Road. He asked if the speed limit could be lowered on the road. In order to lower the speed limit an engineering study would be needed. After some discussion it was decided that the problem was that some drivers ignore the posted 55 mph speed limit, and the road is narrow. No action was taken.

Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill asked to start procedures to remove approximately $3,000 feet of JR Huff Road from the county road system. The Court voted 5-0 to start the process and a viewing committee was appointed to view the road.

Judge Fields informed the Court that all local fire departments have been asked to submit equipment and property lists to Gina Tynes with Hocker Family Insurance. He said the information is required in order to renew property insurance coverage for the departments.