Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held a special called meeting on Tuesday evening. The purpose of the meeting was a work session concerning the County Personnel Policy and a possible nuisance ordinance. Present were Judge Executive David Fields, 1st District Magistrate Stevie Givens, 2nd District Magistrate Johnny Tuck, 3rd District Magistrate Chad Tyree, 5th District Magistrate Keith Daugherty, County Attorney Richard Deye,  and Road Supervisor Timmy West.

Third District Magistrate Chad Tyree has spearheaded efforts to amend the present personnel policy. Starting in September Tyree has asked for several work sessions and has worked at length in his own time to hammer out the policy. The discussion on Tuesday concerned starting rates of pay for part time and seasonal workers. Also discussed was whether or not to require High School Diplomas and/or GEDs for seasonal and/or part time hires. It was decided that seasonal employees would not have to have a diploma or GED, and will start at $1 less per hour than permanent hires.

It was decided that the first reading of the new personnel policy will be on Monday, February 10th at the Court’s next regular meeting. Judge Fields said this will give the Court time to advertise the ordinance and have it in place for the next round of hires.

The topic then switched to discussion of a possible ordinance regulating nuisance properties in Butler County. A rather lengthy discussion ensued on topics such as what should be considered a nuisance, enforcement of nuisance regulations, possible regulation of landfills, whether or not to include abandoned properties, and whether or not the ordinance would encompass abandoned or out of code mobile homes. No action was taken on the matter but various materials were distributed to the Court and County Attorney Dick Deye concerning nuisance ordinances in other counties.

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

The Fiscal Court will meet in regular session on Monday, February 10th at 6 p.m. in the upstairs courtroom of the Butler County Courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.

Story by Joe K. Morris