Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held a special session on Monday night. All magistrates were present.

Outgoing Emergency Management Director Terry Hunt was scheduled to appear before the Court. However, Hunt was unable to attend. Fifth District Magistrate Bobby Moore reported to the Court that the county will receive "a little over $41,000" in aid from FEMA for the two late-winter snow storms that struck the region.

County Judge-Executive David Fields told the Court that Terry Hunt has agreed to stay on as Emergency Management Director until the end of August to give time to hire his successor. Hunt resigned last month and had originally been due to step down at the end of July.

The magistrates approved litter abatement fund payments by a 5-0 vote. Payments will be made to Boy Scout Troop #208--$600, Banock Lodge--$600, and the 4th District Volunteer Fire Department--$550.

Next the Court approved the fiscal year 2016 County Road Cooperative Agreement and Resolution by a unanimous vote.

Another item pertaining to road funding was next on the agenda. The Court entered into a sometimes heated discussion concerning the allocation 2015-16 Flex Fund monies for asphalt paving.

For several years,1st District Magistrate Stevie Givens has agreed to pass on Flex Fund monies because the majority of his roads are inside the city limits of Morgantown.  Under the agreement the remaining four districts alternate using the funds, with two districts receiving funds each year. The Court settled on this system of allocating funds because the rising cost of asphalt severely limits the miles of road that can be repaved or repaired.

This year Givens needs $86,000 to repair two roads not in the city, and for repairs to Boat Factory Road because it is used heavily by the County Road Department. It had been agreed upon earlier in the year to divide Flex Funds between the 1st and 3rd districts.

After a motion was made to accept the plan 4th District Magistrate David Whittinghill spoke against the motion. Whittinghill alleges that two magistrates--Givens and 3rd District Magistrate Chad Tyree--came up with the plan and left the other magistrates out of the process. He also took issue with proposed repairs to Boat Factory Road because it is within the city limits.

Givens countered Whittinghill's argument, saying, "What's the difference between you getting yours and me getting mine?"

Whittinghill proposes that each year the funds should be divided between districts based in the miles of paved roads in each district. The county will receive $172,000 in Flex Funds for FY 2015-16. Judge Fields pointed out to Whittinghill that dividing the funds as he proposes would hamper the county's ability to do paving projects. To illustrate the problem, Fields told Whittinghill, "You could use $50,000 worth of asphalt in the 4th district and not be able to find it," referring to the limited amount of paving it would allow.

Judge Fields called for a vote on the motion to approve the agreement. Givens and Tyree voted for the motion, with Whittinghill and Moore voting against. Second District Magistrate Johnny Tuck didn't vote on the motion. He asked if the matter could be discussed at the next Fiscal Court meeting. Judge Fields told Tuck the county is already behind schedule getting the funds approved and a decision was needed. Tuck then voted yes on the motion and it passed by a 3-2 vote.

The Flex Fund plan will now be submitted to the state for approval.

Next the Court gave approval for the Ambulance Service to apply for their annual $10,000 grant from KBEMS.

The squires voted next to accept the resignations of County Financial Officer/Deputy Judge Kim West, and County Road Supervisor Timmy West. Both resigned last week. Timmy West was arrested and is charged with DUI in July while operating a county vehicle. 

The Court also voted to remove Kim West from all county accounts at Morgantown Bank & Trust.

The meeting was then adjourned.