Fiscal Court say NO to proposed Woodbury Dam removal

Mon, 07/21/2025 - 8:42am — John Embry

Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, July 14, at the courthouse. Magistrates Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant were in attendance. Stevie Givens was unable to attend.

In old business, Chris Wernick and Adam Connelly were in attendance to answer any questions the court had concerning the possible removal of the Woodbury Dam.

According to Wernick, the Woodbury Dam is not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

According to Connelly, the primary concern is safety and since the Woodbury Dam is not serving any function, it is not retaining any water.

After a lengthy discussion, Dillon Bryant made a motion to deny access and removal of the Woodbury Dam. David Whittinghill seconded the motion. Bryant, Whittinghill, and Smith voted yes, and Kevin Phelps voted no.

Magistrates also voted to table the second reading of a solar ordinance pending additional research in the buffering zone.

Under new business, County Clerk Sherry Johnson gave her quarterly report:

-Receipts $6,030,000

-Disbursements $5,872,600

-Revenue $157,400

Amanda White, Boys & Girls Club director, presented the club's annual report and requested the allocated funds for the club. The court approved her $11,500 request.

County Attorney Michelle Duvall informed the court that Senate Bill 63 permits statutorily qualified ATVs, UTVs, minitrucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles, and full-sized special-purpose vehicles to use the roads within the counties, provided a fiscal court ordinance is passed within the county. Duvall stated that the court needed to decide whether to opt in or out. Magistrates voted to opt in, then decided to allow access to all roads in the county.

Jeanie Locke presented the Butler County Animal Shelter report. The shelter receives $7,500 per month from the county. The Mona Gilstrap Fund has a current balance of $37 287. From January 1 through June 30, the shelter has taken in 227 dogs and 401 cats. They have adopted/transported 196 dogs and 322 cats. The spay/neuter clinic has served five states and 46 counties, performing 7,791 operations. The shelter also received $1,146 from the Butler County Clerk's office for people purchasing specialized plates.

Litter Abatement payments were approved for Salem Church, Temple View Women, and Temple View Youth.

The court approved the following additional items:

-Conservation District Funds $45,000

-Advertise the Brooklyn Grancer Road Stabilization Project

-AoC Memo of Understanding

-Bills and transfers

-Financial Statement 24-25 financial_statement.pdf

-Fourth Quarter Treasurer's Report

-Transfer $70,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund

-Transfer $20,000 from the General Fund to the E911 Fund

-Rochester's monthly bills $786.70

-Public Assistance Grant DR4860- February Flood