Beech Tree News Network

Warning siren for severe weather to be purchased and placed at courthouse

Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, January 10, at the courthouse. All magistrates were present. 

After Judge/Executive Tim Flener called the meeting to order and the minutes from December 28, 2021, were approved, Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward came before the Court. Ward asked for an amendment to his budget for the COPS grant his office received. Butler County was one of three departments in the state to be awarded the grant. The grant will pay an average of 63.75% of a deputy's salary over three years. 

"The benefits package alone is $24,000," said Ward. 

Ward says he has a person in mind who is a veteran and has already been to the academy. The Court approved Ward's request.

In the last meeting, magistrates approved the purchase of voting machines at the cost of $119,763. However, Judge Flener wanted clarification on the funding for the purchase. Approximately $26,400 will come from the Kentucky Board of Elections, with the balance ($93,363) coming from the $2.5 million the county receives from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to Flener, this is an approved purchase. 

The county received an $8,000 grant to blacktop a spot behind the courthouse by the jail entrance. The total cost of the repair is $18,565. The Court agreed to pay the difference.

In other business, the Court approved the signing of contracts for a Butler County Warning Siren to be placed at the courthouse and generators for critical facilities throughout the county.

Magistrates then voted down a motion to purchase a lift for the county barn. The quote received by County Foreman Jonathon Deweese was $8,586.39. Third District Magistrate Timmy Givens was the lone yes vote. Deweese stated it would take up a lot of space. Givens also questioned paying $100 for an oil change for the Emergency Management Truck.

"We could be changing the oil for the sheriff's department and others if we had a lift," stated Givens.

Fourth District Magistrate David Whittinghill asked about purchasing a new dump truck. After a lengthy discussion, the suggestion to wait until next year's budget was made by Judge Flener.

Second District Magistrate Kevin Phelps asked about our backup system for the courthouse records. Clerk Sherry Johnson explained her office's system and said backups are off-site and the old records are backed up in the archives.

Fifth District Magistrate Dillon Bryant congratulated the Fifth District Fire Department on receiving a $3,200 grant to purchase thermal imaging cameras.

Judge Flener announced that he and the judges from Ohio County and Edmonson County would be meeting to discuss the regional jail.

 The Court approved the following:

–First District Fire Department Financial Statement- a balance of $131,500

–Order affiliation between Butler Co. Rescue Squad and Butler County Fiscal Court

–Bills and transfers

–$25,000 transfer from General Fund to Jail Fund

–$10,000 transfer from General Fund to E-911

–Quarterly Financial statements

–Monthly treasurer's settlement