Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held a special called meeting on Tuesday evening in the auxiliary courtroom behind the Judge-Executive’s office in the courthouse. All members were present along with County Attorney Dick Deye and a visitor.

The first item on the agenda was payments from the Litter Abatement Program. Receiving payments were; BCHS Future Farmers of America-$600, Boy Scouts Troop #537-$600, 5th District Volunteer Fire Department-$600, Provo Rural Development-$643, and Cub Scout Pack#537-$612.50.

Next the magistrates discussed the use of the Butler County Jail Crew and van to assist the local branch of the Kentucky Department of Transportation with various projects. County Judge Executive David Fields explained that the prisoner would assist with work on state roads with cleanup and other duties. He said they might also be used at the State Barn to clean equipment, etc. Fields said the state would pay the county for mileage on the jail van and would pay the salary and benefits of the jail employee used to supervise the prisoners. He explained that the arrangement would be the same as the one with the City of Morgantown for the use of a prisoner work crew, but the state would not provide the van, as the city does. No action was taken on the issue, but the magistrates agreed that they would address the contract once one is drawn.

A nearly hour-long discussion about the possibility of a Land Field and Abandoned Mobile Home Ordinance was then undertaken. Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree requested the matter be put on the agenda. He said that there are too many abandoned trailers in the county and other properties with abandoned items and junk. Tyree thinks it is time for the county to consider exploring an ordinance to deal with the problem. Several examples of ordinances from other counties were presented to the court and Dick Deye.

Tyree admitted that the adoption of such an ordinance wouldn’t be an easy task, with Judge Fields adding that enforcement of any ordinance would also need to be addressed. Fields suggested that a board might need to be formed to deal with the ordinance and further explore the issue, but no action was taken. The matter will be discussed at a special year-end called meeting on December 27th.

Payment of outstanding bills to IGA and Drake’s Farm Service was the next topic. Judge Fields explained that the Butler County Jail had an outstanding balance of $2,057.29 to the Morgantown IGA, and an $835.88 outstanding balance at Drake’s Farm Service. The court approved the payments by a pair of 5-0 votes.

The court approved repayment of funds to the Kentucky State Treasurer from the fiscal year 2011-12 Tire Grant. The grant helps counties collect and dispose of old tires. Fields explained that since the county took advantage of the Tire Amnesty Program that they had used none of the Tire Grant. Therefore all the grant funds were repaid to the Treasurer. The measure passed 5-0.

In other work the court approved bills to date and the training incentive pay to County Treasurer Susan Johnson. The business portion of the meeting was then adjourned and the court entered into a work session to further discuss the Butler County Personnel Policy.

The regular monthly meeting of the court will be Monday, December 10th at the Woodbury Museum at 10:30 a.m.  Because the meeting is a special called meeting due to the change in venue all agenda requests must be submitted to the Judge’s Secretary by Friday, December 7th. There will also be a year-end special meeting on December 27th, time TBA.

Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News/WLBQ1570