Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, February 22, at the Butler County Courthouse.  All members were present.  

Judge-Executive Tim Flener called the meeting to order.  The minutes from the February 8th meeting were approved. 

Butler County Clerk Sherry Johnson requested a budget amendment reflecting salaries for her office as set by the state. The request was approved.

The Court voted to hire Brian McKinney as Deputy Coroner at an annual rate of $3,836.04. The hire date will depend on approval from KY Retirement Systems.

The Court only received one bid on the painting of the upstairs at the courthouse. No action was taken.

Brandon Keown of the Butler County Rescue Squad addressed the Court concerning a new vehicle. Keown provided prices ranging from $41,000 to $48,000. The Rescue Squad currently operates on a budget of $8,000 to $10,000 per year. They receive no federal or state funding. They do get $5,000 annually from the Fiscal Court.

According to Keown, the Rescue squad made 205 runs in 2020 and about 40 percent of those runs were within the city limits. When asked if the city gives them any money, he stated that he was told the city could not contribute because of an ordinance. The ordinance Keown referred to is the city's donation request by non-profits ordinance. Non-profits must apply by March 15th each year for an up to $2,500 donation.

The Rescue Squad currently has a 1996 Dodge, a 2001 SUV, and a 2000 Explorer.

"We are required to have four vehicles to be in state compliance: One for land, one for land, one for land and water, one for swift water, and one for extractions," said Keown.

The Court took no action on Keown’s request.

Magistrates also approved the following items:

--Payment for elective officials completing 40 hours of training for 2021

--Payment of Transient Tax of $368.79

--Advertise for an Equipment Operator II, Part-Time Road Department Labor, Lawn Care, and Illegal Open Dumps

--Bills and Transfers

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