Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, August 25, at the courthouse.  All magistrates were in attendance: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.

Following a closed session to discuss potential employees, the court made hiring decisions. Jeff Gray was appointed as an assistant in solid waste management, while the county road department hired Jeremy Hawkins and Austin Lindsey at a rate of $15.50 per hour.

The court approved the second reading of the Solar Ordinance and Street-Legal Special Purpose Vehicle.

The court passed a resolution for the future  judicial center, outlining a clear plan. Bids are expected to be solicited in November or December, with construction set to commence in March.

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The Butler County Rescue Squad received a $15,687.90 grant to purchase a side-by-side.  The grant requires a ten percent match. The court agreed to pay the balance of $1,734.10.

The court agreed to give Hopkins County 15 surplus recycling trailers.  The trailers were originally acquired via a state solid waste grant, and the state encouraged the transfer of trailers to other recycling centers when the magistrates voted to close the local recycling center.

The court discussed replacing the picnic tables at the Woodbury RV Park.  Magistrates approved the purchase of 15 heavy-duty frames at the cost of $4,630.  The tech school has agreed to assemble the tables and provide a material list (lumber and hardware) to the court.

The court discussed the building at Woodbury that was destroyed during a recent storm.  The estimated insurance recovery is $76,000 for the 30X30 building on a concrete slab. Magistrates decided to talk with the Woodbury City Council concerning the rebuild.

Magistrates agreed to pay the monthly bills of the city of Rochester.  The court decided in June 2025 to pay the bills with leftover funds from a proposed pavilion, which totaled $6,508. This month, the court paid $1,285.69, leaving a balance of $4,436.42.

The court approved the following additional items:

--Sign and graphics for jail car $200

--IPAD for Emergency Management Director $1,300

--Mud River Watershed Tax Rates

--Kelley's Fabrication invoices- Woodbury 2, Reeds Ferry 1, Road Department 5, for a total of $15,485

--Granted right-of-way to Jason Winchel for the water line on S.Logan Road

--Fema Deposits

--Flint Springs Road Bridge plan $10,000

--EMS Block Grant $10,000

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

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

--Bills and transfers

--Granted permission to buy gravel locally when Caneyville Stone was out of stock