Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Fiscal Court met at the courthouse on Monday, September 11. Judge/Executive Tim Flener started the meeting with a moment of silence in honor of 9/11. All magistrates attended - Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill and Dillon Bryant.

Under "Old Business," Judge Flener told the court that Toy Springs Road Bridge had been closed and asked what they preferred to do concerning the road. The court voted to start the procedure to close a section of the road. According to the judge, only one property owner is involved in the area of the road being considered for closure.

Roger Southerland, Butler County Tourism president, presented a billboard consideration to the court. A grant provided the money for the billboard, which must be used by December 31, 2023. Magistrates approved his request.

The court agreed to start the process of removing 530 feet of Doc Parrish Road from the county road system. Judge Flener appointed David Whittinghill, Dillon Bryant, and Jonathan Deweese to a committee to oversee the process.

The court approved payment of $3,250 to the city of Rochester for the 13 percent match on the siren project.

The court agreed to finance the John Deere excavator with Morgantown Bank & Trust at 6.49 percent for three years. Magistrate Allen Smith said he had talked with McCoy Equipment and they agreed to throw in two additional buckets for the excavator at no cost.

The court approved Allen Smith's request to give $500 of his celebration money to the Logansport Ball Park for remodeling the bathrooms.

Judge Flener informed the court that the county received the grant to complete the Reeds' Ferry Project. Third District Magistrate Allen Smith left the room during a discussion of the Reeds' Ferry Project since a company he is associated with may bid on the project.

Several people have complained about a hump in the road when they come off the ferry, apparently causing damage to their vehicles and equipment. The grant requires a 20 percent match from the county. The court approved a motion to put out a request for a proposal for the project.

The court approved the following additional items:

--Payment of Block Grant for $10,000 to the Ambulance Board

--Bills and transfers

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

--Transfer of $15,000 from the General Fund to E-911

--Budget amendment

--Repairs on the Rochester Ferry $7,179 Green River Equipment

--Litter Abatement Payments

--Permission to apply for KACO Safety Grant

--Advertise for Part-time Dispatcher at $15 per hour