Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court was in session on Monday night for their regular monthly meeting for February. All members were present as well as several other county officials and numerous visitors.

Bruce White, representing the Boys and Girls Club of Butler County, was the first to address the court. White presented a letter to the court in which the club asked that the county’s annual contribution be increased from $2,500 per year to $12,500 per year. He said the Club would also ask the City of Morgantown for the same increase. White said that the Club’s director, Deborah Hall, had resigned to take a job at WKU. The Boys and Girls Clubs of the United States has advised the local Club that the salary for the director’s job needs to be increased in order to get a qualified applicant to fill the position and stay in the job for the long term. White said that the national club suggested that the salary be increased from $22,500 annually to $32,500 with an $8,000 benefit package and the promise of a raise if the new director met fund raising goals.

White explained that the Club is funded from grants and monies given by the Fiscal Court, City Council, fund raisers, and an annual allotment from the Department of Justice. White said that the club serves 400 children, and that that figure is up from 15 when the Club started. He also said that as a non-profit organization they are able to account for their funds, “down to the penny,” and that 80% of their funding is spent directly on the children they serve. If the county makes the increased contribution it would be ear-marked to be spent only on the director’s salary.

Judge Executive David Fields told White and the Court that he worried that the Fiscal Court might be able to meet the funding request for one year, but fears that the continued economic downturn nationally might mean that it would be a one-time increase. Fields worries that the Club could hire a new director at the increased salary and then wouldn’t be able to meet the salary in future years. No action was taken on the measure, but Fields said the proposal would be considered when budget making time comes around.

Next speaking to the Court was Rodney McMillan from the Butler County Little League. The Little League needs dirt to fix the Major/Minor League field at the City Park. McMillan said he doesn’t need the dirt spread, only dumped near the fields. Road Supervisor Timmy West said that he can probably find some dirt that would be applicable to the project. Judge Fields told the magistrates that in order to help with the fields that the county would need an interlocal agreement with the city of Morgantown if the city is in control of the fields. Magistrate Keith Daugherty moved to provide the dirt if it is legal, and Chad Tyree seconded. The motion passed 5-0.

Two bids for county trash pick-up service were presented to the magistrates. Green River Waste bid $285.00 per month to service the Courthouse, Road Department, Animal Shelter, and Ambulance Service. Republic Services from Owensboro, a unit of Scott Waste Management, submitted a bid of $199.50. Judge Fields suggested that the court accept the bid from Republic Services because he had been advised by the state to accept the lowest bid. The court voted 5-0 to award the bid to Republic Services.

The court next held final discussions on the new personnel policy and held the first reading on the ordinance. Some discussion was held concerning the starting rates of pay for seasonal/part time workers. Magistrate Chad Tyree, who has spearheaded efforts to amend the personnel policy, reported that seasonal/part time employees start at one dollar less per hour than other employees. The court voted 5-0 to amend the policy to clarify the pay language. The first reading of the ordinance was held at the meeting, and it will become law once it is posted and a second reading has been held.

County Clerk Shirley E. Givens presented her final settlement to the Court. She gave a check for $172,034.59 to the magistrates. Sheriff Scottie Ward also presented his final settlement to the court. The sheriff joked that his settlement wasn’t as large as the one from the clerk, but was one of the largest sheriff’s settlements that he knew of. Ward’s settlement totaled $24,823.79 in excess fees. 

Hiring for the road department was the next order of business. Road Supervisor Timmy West asked the Court to hire Ladale Stice as a part time driver at the rate of $10.50 per hour, and Reggie Vaught as a part time laborer at the starting rate of $9.50 per hour. The men will begin work on February 19th.

Judge Fields opened a discussion pertaining to annual Flex Fund road monies. Fields said that Butler County’s Flex Funds had been lowered to 10% of the county’s Rural Secondary Road Funds. He said that some state roads in the county had gotten a bad rating, which lowered the percentage of Flex Funds allotted for this year. Fields recommended to the Court that they consider leaving the Flex Funds in the hands of the State Department of Transportation for upgrades within the county. Fields said that improvements on State Routes might then allow the county to get back to the 20-25% Flex Fund bracket. “Ten percent really doesn’t really give us much to work with in each district,” said Fields. No action was taken on the matter.

In other business the Court approved an amendment to the Jail Personnel Policy to create the guard position approved for use by the State Department of Transportation Jail Crew that was approved in January. The Court also accepted budget amendments from the County Clerk and Sheriff after the state set their respective salaries for the upcoming year. The court approved routine bills and transfers and set a special called meeting for Friday, September 15th at 5:00.

The meeting was then adjourned.