Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in special session on Thursday, May 23rd. All members were present and several visitors.

The first person to address the Court was Gina Tynes, from Hocker Family Insurance. Tynes presented the 2013-14 fiscal year insurance package, and brought good news to the squires. The renewal for the upcoming fiscal year will be lower than in 2012-13, and will save employees between $13.29 and $42.53 per pay period depending on their insurance package.

Magistrate Keith Daugherty expressed the sentiments of the Court when he opened, and closed discussion on the renewal by saying, “Sounds good to me!”

The Court accepted the renewal by a 5-0 vote. Following the vote County Judge-Executive David Fields thanked Tynes for her efforts on lowering the cost. According to Fields it has taken several months of extensive work by Tynes to build a package that offers no reduction in benefits, but still saves both the county and employees money.

Next the Court held the first reading of the proposed budget for 2013-14. After a motion was made and seconded to accept the budget discussion opened about some funding allocations for the upcoming year. First District Magistrate Stevie Givens mentioned a line in the budget which allots $12,500 of General Fund monies to the Boys and Girls Club of Butler County.

Givens stated that he thinks it is unfair to limit county fire departments to $10,000 per year in funding, while the Boys and Girls Club receives $12,500. The Magistrate is afraid it sets a bad precedent to other organizations that might request funds in the future. He further explained that after more than three decades as a volunteer fireman he felt it was his responsibility to speak for them on the Court.

“I’ve been on the fire department for 38 years, and I know what they go through,” said Givens. “This is nothing personal and nothing against the Boys and Girls Club, but I don’t think it’s right to give them more than our fire departments.” Givens also stated that he is afraid this won’t be a one-time donation to the Club and that the organization might feel the need to ask for the same amount every year.

Bruce White and Stan England were in attendance to represent the Boys and Girls Club. White has served on the committee that oversees the Club since its inception, and England was hired in early 2013 to serve as the Club’s new Director.

“When we used to ask for $2,500 the Club it served 7 or 8 youngsters,” said White. “Now we have over 200 regular members and serve more than 425 kids. We might be back next year to ask for $12,500 again, with this economy chances are good that we will, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. This is what we need for the Club right now,” continued White.

Stan England joined the discussion saying, “We want to help these kids grow up to be tax payers, and not be a tax burden.”

David Whittinghill told the Court that he had canvased his district to find out how his constituents felt about the matter. “I never talked to one person that was against the Boys and Girls Club.” Chad Tyree and Keith Daugherty reported the same. Said Daugherty, “People know this is a good thing for our county.”

White closed discussion of the matter by adding, “Most of the places around here that have a Club are much bigger than us. I’m really proud that our little county has been able to get a Boys and Girls Club and keep it open.”

County Judge Fields prepared for a roll-call vote on the matter by clearing up procedures regarding the passage of the ordinance. Fields explained that if the budget’s first reading passed then it would be published and accepted as written. Only if the budget were rejected would it be necessary to amend the document, but amendments are possible in the future if passed by ordinance. The roll-call vote had only Givens not in favor of the budget, so the document with $12,500 in funding for the Boys and Girls Club passed 4-1.

Following the vote Givens told White and England again, “I want you to understand this is nothing personal. I have nothing against the Boys and Girls Club.”

Moving along the Court next approved standing orders for the upcoming fiscal year. Standing orders allow the county government staffs to pay utilities, etc. monthly without needing monthly approval from the Court. They also approved Dr. Jack M. Schock to conduct an archaeological survey of the proposed site for a boat ramp in Leonard Oak. Judge Fields told the Court that the grant monies are in place to build the new ramp, but require the survey before release. Schock’s bid was the lowest of three received at $2,500.

Franklin “Puppydog” Morris spoke to the Court asking to hire three part time employees for the Animal Shelter. He explained that a program is available to hire the employees for six months and pay only 25% of their salaries for the first four months, with the county paying half the salaries for the final two months of the hire. The Court approved hiring Dawn Nicole Rose and Tara Faye Brown for 30 hours per week, and Sean Mitchell Webster for 15 hours per week. The trio will be paid 9.50 per hour.

Magistrates next agreed to pledge to hire a summer worker if the Butler County Morgantown Chamber of Commerce is able to initiate a summer work program.

The final agenda item was the hiring of a new, full-time employee for the Butler County Road Department. LaDale Stice was hired as a Class III Equipment operator and will make $12.50 per hour.

No other items were on the agenda, and the meeting was adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris