Beech Tree News Network

After more than a week off the job Butler County Deputy Sheriffs returned to work Tuesday night after the Butler County Fiscal Court approved the 2016 budget for the Sheriff's Office.

All magistrates and a standing room only crowd were in attendance on Tuesday night for a special session of the Butler County Fiscal Court. One item of old business awaited the magistrates; untabling discussion of the budgets for the Butler County Clerk's Office and Sheriff's Office.

Before addressing the old business, County Judge-Executive David Fields read a prepared statement to those gathered in the courtroom. The statement is as follows:

"At the outset of the meeting, I wish to make an announcement in the nature of an apology to the citizens of Butler County. Some of you may have been present at our last meeting and those that were not present are probably aware of it. The meeting received widespread media attention. On behalf of Butler County Government, I apologize for our collective actions. Things were said and things were done which were inappropriate for a public meeting. The citizens and residents of Butler County deserve to have public business conducted in a professional manner. We will all strive to do better.

"In this respect, I as the Butler County Judge Executive and as the presiding official of the fiscal court meetings, am instituting some guidelines. It is important to us as elected officials  that the public have the opportunity to attend fiscal court meetings and to an appropriate extent participate. At the same time, we cannot all talk at once. Unsolicited comments from the public are inappropriate and out of order. While everyone should recognize that the guidelines are a work in progress, it is my hope that in certain circumstances during the course of the meetings that I can permit public comment. On those occurrences when public comment is permitted, if you wish to speak to address the court, hold up your hand. Please don't shout trying to get my attention. When I call on you, please stand up, state your name, and make your comment or ask a question. Please be quiet when others are speaking. While I hope it doesn't happen, all unsolicited comments and speaking out of turn may result in being asked to leave the meeting."

Following the announcement discussion turned to Sheriff Scottie Ward's 2016 budget.

Fourth-district Magistrate David Whittinghill--who originally moved to table the Sheriff's budget at the Court's regular session on December 14th--moved to untable the budgets with Second-District Magistrate providing a second. The motion passed 5-0.

First-district Magistrate Stevie Givens made a motion to pass a non-line–item budget for the Sheriff's Office totaling $534,367.36, which is a reduction of $3,000 from the budget presented by Sheriff Ward in November, making a total reduction of $8,000.  $192,630.00 of the Sheriff's budget is allocated by the Fiscal Court. Givens explained that he moved to pass a non-line-item budget so that the Sheriff won't be required to have budget changes approved by the Court.

Magistrate Whittinghill then moved to amend Givens' motion to make the Sheriff's budget a line-item budget. The motion failed for lack of a second.

After confirming that Givens wanted to lower the Sheriff's overall budget by an additional $3,000 Third-district Magistrate Chad Tyree gave the motion a second.

Magistrate Whittinghill then moved to remove $7,832.52 from the Sheriff's budget, specifically citing disbursement line 13 on the budget for car payments. The motion failed for lack of a second.

Judge Fields called for a roll-call vote on the budget. The only 'nay' vote came from Magistrate Whittinghill, and the motion passed by a margin of 4-1. The large crowd of spectators erupted in applause.

After the meeting was gaveled back into order by Judge Fields, Sheriff Scottie Ward said,  "Judge, not interfere with the Court, but I'd like my guys to get up and go to work, and leave." Ward's instructions to the deputies was met by more applause from those in attendance.

Next the Court considered the budget for the Butler County Clerk's Office.

Magistrate Chad Tyree moved to accept the Clerk's budget, with Johnny Tuck providing a second.

Magistrate Whittinghill then told Judge Fields that something had been skipped. Whittinghill said the reason for tabling the budgets was to examine the benefits packages for the two office. Whittinghill said he wanted to present to the Court that the benefits for the Clerk's Office total $120,188.00, and that benefits for the Sheriff's Office total $174,313.00.

"That's a total of $370,000 we are putting in the Butler County Sheriff's Office," said Whittinghill.

After Whittinghill's comments concerning benefits a roll-call vote was taken on the Clerk's budget and it passed by a 5-0 vote. The Clerk's Office budget for 2016 totals $3,206,091.83, of which $16,000 is allotted by the Fiscal Court.

With no other items on the agenda the meeting was adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News