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Library, ANCHOR Project, and Beaver Program among items discussed at Fiscal Court meeting
The Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, January 12, at the Butler County Courthouse. All magistrates were in attendance: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.
With no old business to discuss, the Court had a presentation by Eric Saxton and Brooke Edwards about the ANCHOR project funded by opioid abatement. The Anchor Project is the result of advocacy efforts by local governments in Southcentral Kentucky to bring about this unique service-delivery model. The Kentucky General Assembly has allocated $20M to this regional pilot for capital expenses in the Fiscal Years 2025/2026.
ANCHOR Project is a three-phase regional response to the opioid crisis.
Phase 1: Mental Health Crisis Intake Center in Bowling Green, KY; provides 24/7 support; construction underway; expected completion around the end of 2026.
Phase 2: The Life Learning Center: long-term programs to rebuild lives and achieve independence, 100 applicants/year, and reports 8 percent recidivism versus 83 percent nationally.
Phase 3: The Office of Drug Control Policy; regional collaboration of resources.
Butler County Court will decide whether to join the project and how much of its opioid abatement funds ($272,000) it will contribute.
Cody Henderson and Kenna Martin gave an update on the $5.5M Butler County Public Library Project. See full story Butler County Public Library $5.5 million project moving forward | Beech Tree News Network
After returning from a closed session, the Court hired Danny Grubb at $17.76 per hour for part-time work with the County Road Department.
Beaver program / Conservation
Shane Wells spoke on behalf of the conservation district about the beaver program.
The court provided $2,500 last year for the beaver program.
The program spent the full $2,500 and removed 64 beavers, all from Butler County farmers and landowners experiencing beaver damage.
Reimbursement was $50 per beaver with a limit of 10 beavers per claimant.
The court approved an additional $2,500 for 2026.
Jail operations, staffing and policy
Jailor Kelly Fugate provided updated policy and procedure for an upcoming inspection.
Kelly Fugate (Jailer); Chad Bratcher (Chief Deputy, Class D Coordinator); Tyra McMillan (Class D Coordinator); Captain Michelle Hunt; Lieutenant Jennifer DeWeese; Work Crew Supervisor Ralph Spohn.
Full time staff 8, part time staff 15, medical staff 2.
Jail bookings 146, average daily population 55, 25 state, 28 county.
FCC will end all commissions on inmate phone and video calls starting April 2026, costing the jail about $19K in revenue.
Two inmates received GED's, each GED gets $1,000, state crew workers generated $13, 829 this quarter, one inmate is enrolled in college (second semester)
EMS / Ambulance service & board changes
The Ambulance service paid off all lines of credit; did not use the increased Morgantown Bank line, and did not exceed the original People's Bank line; debts paid as funds came in.
Run incidents increased across the board from 2024 to 2025; transports increased.
As of January 12, 86 runs have been recorded for the year.
All full-time positions are fully staffed.
Board change: Chad Johnson resigned; Jeff Raymer (4th District, EMT background, formerly with Owensboro Ambulance Service) was nominated by Judge Tim Flener to finish the term.
The court approved the following:
Executed AT&T phone service contract for a 36-month term with pricing unchanged and a one-time charge of $5,500.
The Internet service contract had been previously signed.
The treasurer presented monthly and quarterly financial reports.
Transferred $35,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund and $10,000 from the General Fund to the E-911 Fund.
Bills and transfers
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