Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, July 28, at the Butler County Courthouse. Magistrates Stevie Givens, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant were in attendance. Kevin Phelps participated by phone.

Colonel Lisa Mann of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lee Andrews of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Chris Wernick, an archeologist and project manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, were present to provide insights on the removal of the Woodbury Dam.  

A significant development emerged when the County reviewed a deed confirming the County's ownership of the land wall. Ownership of the land wall makes the county liable.  

Colonel Mann stated that safety is her primary concern and referenced a 14-year-old's death at Silver Creek in August 2023. She also noted the Corps has no money for the project. The money comes from Fish and Wildlife and has specific restrictions and requirements for its use.

According to all the models presented, water leveling shows no significant (+-1 foot) upstream or downstream if the dam is removed.

After a comprehensive, hour-long discussion that explored all possible scenarios, the Court reaffirmed its decision not to remove the Woodbury Dam.

The following item on the agenda was the Solar Ordinance. The magistrates changed the buffer zone to 250 feet from a structure and 100 feet from a property line. They also added wording to exempt anyone already under contract. Second reading is set for August 18; changes to be re-advertised.

The magistrates approved the compensation rate of 7.3 for the County tax rate by a 3-1 vote, with David Whittinghill voting "nay."  Motor vehicle and watercraft regulations are set by the state and remain the same.

The Court approved the following:

• Bills and transfers
• Transfer of $20,000 from the General Fund to the E911 Fund
• Transfer of $35,000 from the General Fund to the Jail Fund
• Donate $5,000 to the Chamber of Commerce for the Catfish Festival
• Donate $1,000 to United Way
• Donate $1,700 to the BRADD Aging Program
• Update Financial Treasurer's Settlement
• Fourth District VFD Treasurer's Report
• Appoint Connie Embry to a four-year term on the Public Library Board of Trustees.
• Advertise for Road Department and Ferry Department jobs
• Permission for Judge Flener to sign the Flex Fund Project
• Second reading of the SLSPV adding a valid driving license
• Closing on the Rochester Property
• $1,546.38 to the Division of Local Government per capita of the population of the County
• BRADD Haz Mit Project DR4702-0012 Radios
• Accept a position on the Rochester Dam Commission, with no liability for past actions.

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