Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court and a score of visitors were treated to a potluck supper on Monday night at the Provo Rural Development Center as the Court went on the road for their regular May meeting. Because the meeting has to be considered a special called meeting because of the venue change the agenda for the meeting was frozen beforehand. Other than that change the meeting was business as usual.

After a fine meal provided by the citizens and friends of Provo the Court took up the agenda. After routine business the first item was a presentation by Maureen Carpenter, Vice President for Economic Development for the Bowing Green Area Chamber of Commerce. Carpenter works with Butler and four other counties trying to recruit new industries, as well as working to help existing industry find incentives, improve their workforce, etc in order to help them grow and become stronger members of the Southern Kentucky economic community. She told the meeting that 85% of industrial growth occurs from existing industries, not new factories. She went further to explain some things she and local industry leaders are doing to improve Butler County’s industrial appeal.

According to Carpenter one negative that affects recruiting new industries is workforce turnover and unpreparedness. She cited the growing number of individuals that lack the ‘soft skills’ necessary to be a viable worker. ‘Soft skills’ include the ability to dress appropriately for work, punctuality, reliability, and attention to the task at hand. “One of my clients tracked texting among their employees. They figured up the average time it takes an employee to send one text message, then multiplied that by their workforce and realize the amount of time lost to texting each day is staggering,” said Carpenter. She said that some employees simply don’t understand common workplace rules such as no cellphones or texting during work hours.
Visitors at the meeting questioned Carpenter about the growing number of temporary agencies used by factories for job placement. People are concerned that temp services are undermining the local workforce by placing employees in jobs where they have very little or no chance at getting benefits or going full time. Carpenter explained that using temp agencies is the growing trend for industries, but there are things that could make that a less attractive option. She said increasing the GED and graduation rates would help, as well as making prospective employees aware of what they can expect at various jobs.

“Sometimes people take jobs and don’t really understand what they’re in for,” said Carpenter. “They don’t realize they have to stand on their feet for eight to ten hours a day, or that sometimes factory work is hot, and dirty sometimes.” She praised the Butler County School System for being out front in efforts to produce a more labor-ready workforce, and for the programs offered in Butler County to prepare students for life after school.

Carpenter said that she is currently working with the school system and local leaders to get a Work Ready Workforce designation for Butler County. At the moment she said Butler County’s workforce is classed as Work Ready Workforce In Progress.

She told the meeting that she expects between 160-180 new jobs to be created in Butler County in the coming year, with hiring expected at Casco, Corvac Composites, and Kentucky Copper. She reported that Delta Faucet in Morgantown had been recognized by Governor Steve Beshear for completing 1.1-million accident free work hours. The feat was only accomplished by a handful of factories nationwide.
She concluded her presentation with some advice for prospective employees. According to Carpenter there are many ways a student can take vocational training for a year or less and be qualified for good-paying jobs. One area with very high demand right now is industrial maintenance. Carpenter said maintenance technicians are often recruited by competing factories because the demand is so high. “I know maintenance techs that have their phones ringing off the hook at ten o’clock at night and all weekend with calls from factories wanting them to come to work for them.”

The magistrates next approved a transfer to the Butler County Ambulance Service for $10,714.28. The monies come from a grant received by the Ambulance Service that had to pass through the Fiscal Court. The measure passed 5-0.

Sheriff Scottie Ward spoke to the room about three agenda items. Ward first reported about the Butler County Sheriff’s Office smartphone app that he mentioned at the April Fiscal Court meeting. The app would be free to subscribers and would allow them to keep up with updates sent by the Sheriff’s Office, Butler County EMS, Butler County Road Department and other county agencies. The sheriff said the notices would be push-notices that are sent directly to the screen of the phone. Ward said the system will allow his office and others to make announcements, issue local Amber Alerts, advise motorists of road closings, ferry closings, and other incidents. He said the app would include a local crime map, and would allow users to report to the Sheriff’s Office. Ninety percent of the cost of the app will come from the Sheriff’s Drug Fund—seized cash, etc. from drug arrests. The app should be available this week for Android phones, and within two weeks for Apple’s iPhone.

Next the sheriff reported to the court that his department had received a grant from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. The grant will allow the department to buy five new backup weapons, five ballistic (bulletproof) vests, and two taser guns. “We have two officers without the tasers, so we can get those to them now,” said Ward.

The sheriff’s final report was to the people of Provo and the Court concerning a change in the way property taxes will be paid and billed beginning with this fall’s tax bills. The old tax notices have been replaced with a notice similar to those issued by the County Court Clerk for automobile taxes. Ward said a card with a barcode would be mailed to taxpayers. The barcode will allow his office to look up tax bills faster, and will streamline the process of paying taxes. Ward said the only complaint he has had is that like automobile tax notices, the amount owed by the taxpayer is in clear view on the card. The sheriff said he understands the complaint, but reminded citizens that all tax records and bills are matters of public record and can be checked by anyone at any time in his or the County Clerk’s office. Ward said that Butler County is the only local county still using the old system of looking up tax bills in tax books.

The Court next moved to declare the old metal shelves from the Clerks’ Office as surplus property. New shelving has been installed in the office to hold deed books and other records. The shelves feature rollers to allow the easy retrieval of large bound books.

The Court approved a Court Facilities Local Government Reimbursement Form for the Administrative Office of the Court’s contribution to recent courthouse renovations. The form also covers the rent paid to the county by the court system for drug court. The measure passed 5-0.

The magistrates voted 5-0 to pay the Provo Rural Development $643 for $100-Mile Litter Abatement. Tony Wilson, representing the Provo RD accepted the check from the Fiscal Court and thanked the Court for their help and interest in the Provo community.

A short comment period was held at the conclusion of all the agenda items. The magistrates were in agreement that they enjoyed their meeting in Provo, and praised the efforts of the cooks for the fantastic meal. Community members, which numbered close to 50 at the meeting, thanked the Court for meeting in Provo and extended an invitation for the Court to return for another meeting. Annually the court holds special meetings at the Little Muddy RD, Reedyville RD, Provo RD, and the Woodbury Museum.

The next regular meeting of the Fiscal Court will be Monday, June 10th at 6 o’clock in the upstairs courtroom of the Butler County Courthouse. All Fiscal Court meetings are open to the public and visitors are encouraged to attend. To have an item put on the agenda for a regular monthly meeting see the County Judge’s Secretary before the close of business on the Friday prior to the meeting.