Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, February 13, at the courthouse.  All magistrates were present.  The biggest discussion of night ended up being a topic not listed on the agenda.  When all items on the agenda had been discussed, Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill made a motion for Fiscal Court to take full control of 911 Dispatch, effective July 1st of this year.  This motion was seconded by Second District Magistrate Johnny Tuck.  At this time some visitors in attendance quickly began to voice their concerns over this issue.  Morgantown City Councilman Russell Givens was in attendance and advised Judge-Executive David Fields that there was a contract between the Ambulance Service, the Butler County Fiscal Court and the City of Morgantown for the services that are rendered in that building.  Mr. Whittinghill said that he did not want to move the location but for the court to take control of it.  First District Magistrate Stevie Givens stated that it would be better for the court to take a look at the contract mentioned by City Councilman Russell Givens before making this change.  Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree also advised that they take time to research the issue before making a final decision.  Magistrate Givens made a motion to table the issue seconded by Magistrate Chad Tyree.  A role call was needed and the motion to table the issue carried with Magistrates Givens, Tyree and Bobby Moore-Fifth District supporting it with Magistrates Tuck and Whittinghill opposed.

 Visitor Osei Thomas questioned why a motion such as this was being pursued without the presence of Brian McKinney or the ambulance board.  Visitor Carlos Raymer was questioned by Emergency Management Director Richard Henderson when he (Raymer) tried to compare the free services of the recycling center to the “drain of the ambulance service.”  Mr. Henderson explained to Mr. Raymer that the grant for the center did not pay for everything as he thought it did and that the extra monies needed for the upkeep did indeed come from the county.  Speaking as a citizen and not as county attorney, Dick Dye addressed Judge Fields asking if and how the court would absorb the costs of running the 911 Dispatch should the move be made final.  With the issue tabled, it will be researched until the meeting on February 27th.

The other items on the agenda for the night passed quickly with no issue.   Sherriff Scottie Ward was on the agenda for a budget amendment and to discuss the funds of the court security officer.  The County Clerk also was on agenda for a budget amendment and a bond approval.  A copy of the security bond was needed for the County Clerk’s office to present to the court because by law it must be examined and approved by the court.  This bond covers Clerk Sherry Johnson and all of her deputies.

Approval for two plaques for the Butler County Parks was granted at $458 each.   These plaques will be places at the Leonard Oak Park and one at Woodbury so they will be visible during the river float as part of the Trail Town Project.

A motion was made to approve the annual appropriation to the Green River Museum in the amount of $2,500.00

Approval to pay $10,000 to the Morgantown VFD, 2ND District VFD, 3RD District VFD, 4TH District VFD, and the 5TH District VFD.

Per FEMA grant money for labor and equipment used to clean up and remove county wide debris, the following entities were approved to have a check issued:

4TH District VFD----Check for $1,005.49

5TH District VFD----Check for $558

Road Department---$11,541.99 to be transferred         

Currently, all the tractors the road department owns has between 11,000-12,000 hours on them.  The new unit would have a bush hog attachment as well.  The approval was given to purchase a John Deere 5085M Utility Tractor in the amount of $82,632.30 for the Road Department.

Also on the agenda was to advertise for the part-time recycling center employee/relief ferry operator position, the monthly treasurer's report, and the bills and transfers.    As stated previously, all items on the agenda passed with no issues.

When the magistrates were granted the floor, Fifth District Magistrate Bobby Moore said that he had been contacted by several in his district upset that the new black topped roads were being damaged by loggers working the area.  A short discussion ensued with County Attorney Dick Dye as to how to remedy this issue and hold them liable.  The first step will be to get the logger’s contact information and then Mr. Dye will be able to work on the task of possible holding them liable for the damage of the roadways.

After the all new business on the agenda was completed, Bruce White, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Butler County, presented the court with a thank you letter for their service and support of their cause.

Butler County Fiscal Court will meet again for a regularly-scheduled meeting on Monday, February 27th at 5:00 p.m.