Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on November 13 at the Butler County Courthouse.  All magistrates were in attendance: Stevie Givens, Johnny Tuck, Chad Tyree, David Whittinghill, and Bobby Moore.
The court accepted the SOKY Jobs proposal for $19,500, giving Judge-Exeutive David Fields the authority to sign the contract. 

The SOKY Jobs proposal states the scope of work includes:

• Custom webpage to act as a landing platform for digital advertising that will be used to promote Butler County across the region and beyond as a desirable place to live, raise a family and (or) retire.

• Film and produce a five-minute video to spearhead the promotion.

• Still photography will be utilized to capture images of Butler County landmarks, schools, and overall community to use on the website.

• Advertise Butler County community profile nationwide through Facebook, Instagram and Google.

• Provide all Butler County businesses one basic job post on SOKY Jobs.com for free.

In other business the court rejected both proposals for the Senior Center.  According to Judge Fields, the bids were $1.4 million and $945,000.  The grant for the project is approximately $500,000 of which $70,000 has already been spent.
“We will have to look at other options for the Senior Center,” said Judge Fields.
First District Magistrate Stevie Givens asked the court about the payment of fire dues. Sheriff Scottie Ward is ready to pay the local departments but an accountable system needs to be in place for the transfer of money.  Prompting this discussion is the fact that Fourth District Fire Department has not completed the required paperwork to be a state-approved fire department.

Roger Givens asked the fiscal court for a donation for a historical marker at Suffolk, the first town in Butler County. 
"The Rochester Ladies League has donated $500 of the $2,500 needed for the sign," said Givens.
After a short discussion, the court decided to wait and check to see what they have donated before on historical markers. No action was taken.

The court approved the following by a 5-0 vote:

• Updated quote for Community Development Center Lettering for $1,217.54

• Updated invoice for Mesonet project for $3,000

• Refund  check to Casco Products for $10,075 for overpayment of 2016 Estimated Net Profit

• Monthly Treasurer’s Settlement

• Bills and Transfers

• Transfer $25,000 from General Fund to Jail Fund

• Check to Lovins Concrete & Construction, Inc. $115,200 for Rochester Ferry

• Increase the Rochester Ferry House maintenance/repair allotment to $22,000

• Purchase (with donations) heaters for Animal Shelter from Kinser Heat & Air, Inc. 

• Turning on the gas in units 4, 9, 10, 11 of the Community Development Center

• HVAC bid from Kinser Heat & Air, Inc. for Units 4,9, and 11 for $26,534.00 (passed by a 4-1 vote with Chad Tyree, Third District Magistrate voting no)

• Data Breach Policy presented by County Attorney Dick Deye