Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in its first regular session for May on Monday night.

One item of old business awaited the Court. Quotes were compared for doors for the new county recycling center. Magistrate Chad Tyree had asked to get more quotes for the doors at the last meeting of the Court. Tyree presented three quotes, and the Court moved to buy the doors from Hochstetler Door, of Auburn, Ky.  The price of the doors will be $5,002.01, and purchase will be contingent on the doors being insulated. The motion to buy the doors passed by a 5-0 vote.

Next the Court approved two occupational tax refunds. The refunds are for overpayment of occupational taxes. Refunds were given to; Wiggins Drug-$412.00, and Management Registry-$517.61.

Magistrates passed a resolution requested by the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) in support of the SOAR Initiative. SOAR--Shaping Our Appalachian Region--is a statewide effort established by Governor Steve Beshear in 2013 to help develop and promote the state's Appalachian region. The motion passed 5-0.

The Court considered a quote for automatic door openers for the Morgantown Fire Department building, which is owned by the County. A motion was made to accept a quote of $1,400.00 for two commercial-grade openers. However the motion died for lack of a second. The Court decided to let Magistrate Chad Tyree get more quotes for the openers. Magistrate Stevie Givens stressed that the openers are needed soon because getting fire trucks out of the building is difficult.

Magistrate David Whittinghill questioned why the Fiscal Court helps with upkeep on the Morgantown Fire Department building and doesn't help other fire departments with their buildings. Judge Fields answered that the County owns the building, and is liable to help with upkeep. Whittinghill countered that the fire department doesn't pay rent on the building. Fields said that he wished someone would take the building off the County's hands, but unless that happens they are responsible to help with upkeep.

In other business the Court approved the treasurer's monthly report, approved bills and transfers, and approved advertising for pest control bids.

Some items of discussion were then brought to the floor.

Magistrate Stevie Givens said that several people had asked him why the jail work crew was no longer doing courthouse lawn maintenance. Judge Fields told Givens that because of contracts with the City of Morgantown, and the Transportation Cabinet there isn't enough inmate labor to do the work. He also said that fertilizers and chemicals are being used on the lawn that prisoners aren't permitted to handle. Fields further stated that they wanted the lawn to look as nice as possible because it is the centerpiece of downtown Morgantown. He finished his response saying, "Remember how it looked, look at it now."

Magistrate David Whittinghill asked for a report on spending for the new recycling center. Treasurer Susan Johnson reported that so far $15,052.62 has been spent on the center. That money will be an "in-kind" matching contribution toward the grant received for recycling trailers.

Johnson reported that the budget was amended to allow for $20,000.00 for the center. Judge Fields said that the County can claim up to $23,000.00 in "in-kind" matching on the project.

Magistrate Chad Tyree had two discussion items.

First, Tyree asked how Flex Funds for roads would be allocated this year. Judge Fields said that funds were allocated to the 2nd and 3rd districts two years ago, and to 4th and 5th districts last year. He said that funds are down this year, but will go to the 1st district with any leftover funds to be divided among the other districts.

Tyree then asked if Occupational Tax Administrator Sandy Keown could be placed in charge of obtaining bids and quotes. He thinks the process will work better with one person handling all quotes. Judge Fields asked Tyree to work with Keown on the project. Judge's secretary Kim West told Tyree that bid requests went to everyone on the bid list. Tyree said the State also operates a bid listing service online.

The Court then entered a work session concerning the upcoming budget. After the work session the meeting was adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News