Beech Tree News Network

Magistrates voted 3-2 to give themselves a 2.3 percent pay increase at Tuesday night’s regular meeting of the Butler County Fiscal Court.  All magistrates were present.  The increase, a cost-of-living raise, was approved at the end of the meeting following a closed session to discuss property.  It was not on the agenda of items to be discussed and a video of the meeting by Beech Tree News had stopped since no actions were expected following the closed session.    

On a motion by David Whittinghill and a second by Timmy Givens, magistrates voted to increase their salary by 2.3 percent. Whittinghill, Timmy Givens, and Stevie Givens voted in favor of the raise; Kevin Phelps and Dillon Bryant opposed it.

Magistrates make around $7,800 annually with some additional benefits available.

In other business, the court approved Green View Leasing's bid for the Rochester Ferry Boat Paddlewheel Project at the cost of $143,124.  The measure passed on a 4-1 vote with Dillon Bryant voting no.  Bryant, in explaining his opposition, said he felt like more information about the project was needed in the bid. 

The court approved Option One for the health insurance for the county employees. According to Judge-Executive Tim Flener, the families will have a 60/40 split, and individuals will have 80/20 coverage. The county will absorb the approximately $32,000 increase from last year's premium.

The court was asked to approve $1,600 to purchase a truck bed cover and spray-in bed liner for the emergency management truck. After a discussion, they agreed to $1,300 for a truck cover and rubber mat for the vehicle.

The court went into closed session to deliberate on the future acquisition or sale of real property. No action was taken on the property when magistrates returned to open session.

The court approved the following:

-Kinser Heating Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal for a Mitsubishi two-ton mini split unit for the sheriff's office-5 year warranty on parts, seven-year warranty on compressor, one year labor at the cost of $4,000

-First reading of the Admin Code and Personnel Policy Ordinance 2020-05-26

-Mud River Watershed Conservancy District Annual Budget

-Fourth District Volunteer Fire Department first-quarter financial statement

-Big Muddy Creek Watershed Conservancy District Annual Budget

-Transfer of $25,000 from the General Fund to Jail Fund

-Bills and Transfers

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Butler County Magistrates are First District Stevie Givens, Second District Kevin Phelps, Third District Timmy Givens, Fourth District David Whittinghill, and Fifth District Dillon Bryant.

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