Beech Tree News Network

Monday night was the regular monthly meeting of the Butler County Fiscal Court. All members were in attendance along with a few interested bystanders.

After approving the minutes of prior meetings, the squires approved litter abatement payments to: Woodbury Lodge-Grand Lodge of Kentucky--$595, Gilstrap Community Center--$584, BCHS Soccer Boosters--$612, Butler County Shrine Club--$602. A blanket motion to make the payments passed by a 5-0 vote.

Sheriff Scottie Ward was next to appear before the Court with two items of business. First, Ward wanted a 1999 2WD Chevy Tahoe declared as surplus property so that it can be sold. The Sheriff is selling three drug seizure vehicles this weekend and wants to include the Tahoe in the sale. The Court voted 5-0 to declare the Tahoe as surplus.

His second request involved an amendment to the Sheriff's 2015 budget. Ward said that he lost funding for a Housing Authority deputy at the beginning of May. Because of that the Sheriff had to change his budget to make up for a loss of $12,388.18. Ward said he took money from his deputy's salaries, fuel, and uniform budgets to make up the difference in funding. He said the change would cost the county no money, but would require the magistrates to approve the amendment.

Fourth-District Magistrate David Whittinghill asked the Sheriff if the County would have to continue to pay benefits to the deputy. Ward said the county would pay the benefits which would total approximately $3,000. A vote was called and the motion passed by a 4-1 vote with Whittinghill casting the no vote. Later in the meeting, Second-District Magistrate Johnny Tuck told County Judge-Executive that he had not voted on the motion, but wanted the record to show he was voting no on the amendment. That made the final vote 3-2 in favor of the amendment.

County Clerk Sherry Johnson asked the Court for money to convert two voting machines to handicapped accessible machines. She told the squires that one machine had continually malfunctioned, and regulations require one handicapped machine per precinct. She said it would cost $225 per machine to make the conversion.  A motion to authorize the conversion passed 5-0.

A brief discussion came next concerning the allocation of 2015-16 Flex Fund road aid. First-District Magistrate Stevie Givens had requested approximately $43,000 for repairs to Boat Factory Road, but state transportation officials said the funds couldn't be used on the road because it is in the city limits of Morgantown.

Judge Fields told the magistrates to consider how they would like to spend the $43,000 and to give suggestions at the next Fiscal Court meeting.

Magistrate David Whittinghill again expressed his displeasure at how the Flex Funds are divided. Whittinghill wants funds divided based on the amount of paved county roads in each district. The Court uses a system now which allows two districts to split monies each year.

Judge Fields told the Court that the Flex Fund program was created by Governor Steve Beshear, and there is no guarantee that the next administration will continue the program. Magistrate Johnny Tuck asked for assurances that he will get his funds if he passes on the extra funds this year. No action was taken on the allocation, but the Court will revisit the issue at their next meeting.

Removing 300-feet of Brutton Spring Hollow Road from county maintenance was next on the agenda. Magistrates passed the second reading of an ordinance to remove the road by a 5-0 vote.

One bid was received for wiring of the new county recycling center. Ronnie Parrish was awarded the bid at the cost of $30,554.78, half of which will be paid by the recycling grant, with the remainder paid by the county and counted toward their in-kind portion of the matching grant. The motion to accept the bid passed 5-0.

A short discussion was had concerning the hiring of a new county EMD director. Judge Fields told the Court that the regional EMD director has agreed to help with the interview process, and that here are several qualified applicants.

After approving bills and transfers the Court went into closed session to fill three open jobs with the county.  After a 50-minute closed session the squires returned to open session.

Judge Fields recommended that Amy Deweese be hired as the new full-time County Financial Officer/Deputy Judge at a pay rate of $12.50 per hour. A motion to hire Deweese passed by a 5-0 vote and she will begin work on August 11th.

Steven Sublett was hired as a part-time relief ferry boat operator at the pay rate of $10 per hour. The motion to hire Sublett passed 5-0.

Franklin Morris, Jr was hired as a seasonal employee for the Butler County Road Department at the standard pay-rate. Morris will be asked to start work on August 11th if he chooses to accept the position. The job requires a CDL but will entail more than truck driving. The motion to hire Morris passed by a 5-0 vote.

Some items of discussion were then heard. Magistrate David Whittinghill wants to discuss giving a 2% raise to county employees. The item will be in the agenda for the next Fiscal Court meeting. Whittinghill also wants to examine using iPads, etc instead of a paper packet of agenda items for magistrates.

Magistrate Chad Tyree told the Court that the City of Rochester has requested help with their ballpark project. He said the Rochester asked for a load of sand, and that he has found free sand if the county can haul it. Judge Fields said the County has an intralocal agreement with Rochester and can haul the sand.

Tyree then asked if a dumpster could be placed at the Rochester boat ramps. He said there is a litter problem and the city had asked for help from the county. Judge Fields said the county doesn't help Woodbury and Morgantown In the same way, and therefore couldn't help Rochester.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Story by Joe K. Morris