Fiscal Court receives clerk's final settlement; hears report on economic development

Thu, 02/12/2015 - 3:43pm — Diane Dyer

Former Clerk Shirley E. Givens presents her final check to the court.

In addition to passing the first reading of a Right to Work ordinance on Monday night, Butler County Fiscal Court received the last settlement from former Butler County Clerk Shirley E. Givens, as well as hearing a report on economic development.

Givens presented her final settlement to the court, subject to state audit. She handed the court a check for $162,863.38.
“I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you during my terms,” said Givens.
“You have done a great job Shirley, thank you, we appreciate everything you have done,” said Judge-Executive David Fields.
Butler County Clerk Sherry Johnson asked the court for $7,500 for a software update to the tally system for the elections. She also asked the court to approve an amendment to her budget reflecting the increase of $577.25 to her salary. The salary of the clerk is set by the state. Magistrates approved both requests.
Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward asked the court to approve an amendment to his budget reflecting the increase of $621.53 to his salary. The salary of the sheriff is set by the state. The court approved the amendment.

Judge Fields swears in Michael Gary as a new deputy coroner.

The court went into closed session to discuss personnel with Butler County Coroner Gerald “Marty” Jones II. When the magistrates returned, they approved the hiring of Michael Gary as deputy coroner at the cost of $3,000 annually.
The court approved the bids for the renovation of the recycling center. According to Judge Fields, the three bids were: $30,556.50, $22,410.60, and $4,800. The court accepted the bid of $4,800 by Country Side Builders.
The court received one bid for trimming the trees in the courthouse yard. They approved Tichenor’s Tree Service bid at $2,680.00.
The court approved a one-time donation of $3,500 and an annual allotment of $2,500 for the county Mesonet site. According to Judge Fields, the Mesonet site will be located on Sam Moore’s farm and will be very beneficial to the farmers of Butler County.
“This site will measure and record a variety of temperatures and moisture readings valuable to farmers in Butler County,” said Judge Fields.

Maureen Carpenter, Vice President, Talent and Regional Development of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, gave the court an update on economic development services for Butler County.
“I wanted to remind you about the services you are receiving,” said Carpenter. "Economic development is a regional concept. We are invested in Kentucky united; we travel and talk with about 150 site consultants and about 80 to 90 companies per year. We have a website, which features Butler County.”
According to Carpenter, 85 percent of growth comes from existing businesses; she meets with the existing businesses in Butler County quarterly.
Services include and Butler County benefits from the following:
- Property development as well as prompting the industrial park and the Pamida building
- Seven economic professionals working for Butler County, with over 40 combined years of experience.
- Bowling Chamber of Commerce is a Five Star accredited chamber.
- Last year 663 new jobs in the region, over $211 million in investments
- Butler County had $5.8 million capital investment and 32 new jobs.
- Working with Kentucky Copper