Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, March 27, at the Butler County Courthouse. All magistrates were in attendance: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.

Old Business: The Court approved a lawncare bid from Thomas' Lawn & Landscapes for the courthouse lawn. All parties agreed to a contract for services, including monthly billing.

New Business-The Court had several visitors seeking money. Heather Stockstill and Christine Wood from the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center spoke to the Court about their services and stated they had served 45 children from Butler County last year. The Mission of the BRACAC is to reduce trauma to child abuse victims by providing a safe, child-friendly location where teams of professionals work together to pursue justice and offer treatment. The Court approved the annual $1,500 donation to the center. 

Stockstill and Wood

Next, Amanda White, the Boys & Girls Club executive director, addressed the Court. She requested $15,000.  

"We plan to have clubs at Morgantown Elementary and North Butler Elementary. We want to turn the club in Morgantown into a teen club and focus on job skills," said White.  

The Boys and Girls Club is looking to partner with businesses, schools, and factories to improve job skills in the teen population. In addition, they plan to add educational computers and software. The Court approved the request.

Amanda White

Butler County Attorney, Michele Duvall, asked the Court for $240 annually to cover liability insurance for an alternative sentencing program.

"I would like to be able to offer community service instead of jail time and fines to some of our young adults," said Duvall.

Duvall stated that community service at the Butler County Animal Shelter might be an option. The Court approved the request.

Butler County Jailer Wayne Russ and Deputy Jailer Chad Bratcher requested permission to purchase a 2023 Honda Accord for $29,044 for transporting prisoners. According to Russ, the current transport vehicle has broken down on the road several times.  

"It is a waste to keep putting money into that vehicle," said Russ.

The Court approved the purchase.

Butler County Clerk Sherry Johnson asked for a resolution and approval to apply for the HB1 County Clerk Election Equipment Grant. The Grant will help in paying for the state-required equipment. She also shared the dates for the upcoming election. 

The Court approved the purchase of a truck for County Road Foreman Jonathan Deweese and for Deweese to look at a Mow Max in another county. The Court also acknowledged that the wait list for dump trucks is about a year.

The Court gave Josh Tichenor the bid ($6,200) on cleaning up storm damage at Reed's and Rochester Ferry.

Carroll Duckworth gave the Court a presentation concerning Community Action of Southern Kentucky Rural Public Transportation. Since Butler County has no public transportation in the county, Duckworth asked for a letter of support from the Court. According to Duckworth, rural public transportation could be offered at a cost. Service hours would be Monday-Friday- 8 AM-5 PM; reservations required the day before. In county rates would be $1.50 per mile and $1.75 beyond the adjacent county. There would be a $4 minimum per trip. The Court approved a letter of support.

Carroll Duckworth

Butler County Regional Jail Consultant Kelly White gave the Court an update on the search for a regional jail. 

"We are making good progress; we have visited Boone, Grayson, and Hopkins County Jails," said White. White also shared, "the state could donate the Green River Boys' Camp property."

The group is looking at options for sewage. The project costs $23 million, with Ohio County paying half and Butler County and Edmonson County splitting the other half. According to White, the Green River Regional Detention Center will house male and female county, state, and federal inmates. White was also pleased with the Kentucky Association Bond Rates.

Kelly White

The Court approved dropping the landline phone at Reed's Ferry and obtaining a cell phone.  

Second district magistrate Kevin Phelps gave the Court a copy of the proposed 

guidelines for the Woodbury RV Park. The procedures will be discussed at the next fiscal court meeting. Phelps also asked for a position to be created as a Park Overseer. The Court took no action.

The Court approved the following by a 5-0 vote:

Bills and transfers

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

MOA Reappointionment Assistance with BRADD

2023 Homeland Security Grant Resolution

Advertise two Road Department positions

Geoconex power supply E-911 $4,800