Beech Tree News Network

Jail battling "bat bugs" instead of bed bugs

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Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, July 10, at the courthouse. All magistrates attended: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.

Under old business, the court approved the FY 2024 Administrative Code by a 4-1 vote, with Fifth District Magistrate Dillon Bryant voting nay. The point in question was the request by Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill at the last meeting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) automatically be added to the magistrates' salary yearly. His proposal will make this CPI salary increase a part of the county's administrative code. Previously, any pay increase required an annual vote by magistrates. For context, the current CPI is 6.5 percent.

Judge/Executive Tim Flener informed the court that the Sons of the American Revolution planned to place a monument by the steps approaching the Courthouse honoring the Butler Countians that served in the Revolutionary War.  This will be done at no cost to the county.

Magistrate Allen Smith asked Judge Flener if the equipment to treat the bed bugs in the Butler County Jail had been purchased. According to Judge Flener, the pest person has determined that the infestation is not bed bugs but rather is due to bat bugs. Bat bugs require a different treatment than bed bugs.

Although bats are their primary host, these bugs also may feed on alternative hosts including birds and rodents. Bat bugs will bite humans in the absence of their primary hosts.

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Additional reporting from the July 10 Fiscal Court meeting will be posted in separate articles.