Fiscal Court splits 3-2 on tax vote; rate to be lower on property but county will take in over $10K more

Fri, 07/14/2023 - 8:36am — John Embry

Increase in tax revenue for the county requires a public hearing, which is set for August 14

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Butler County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, July 10, at the courthouse. All magistrates attended: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.

Tax rates on real estate were a topic of business for magistrates to consider. According to calculations sent from the state, Butler County magistrates could have taken the compensating rate of 7.50 and generated the same amount of money ($393,406) as they did last year at the 7.8 rate. However, the magistrates voted 3-2 (Bryant and Smith voting nay) to take what would be a 4 percent revenue increase with a tax rate of 7.7 percent, thus generating ($403,897). The increase will bring in an extra $10,491 for the county from taxpayers. By law, a public hearing will be held on August 14 at 4:00 p.m. at the Butler County Courthouse for public input.

The state sets watercraft and vehicle rates and it will stay the same at 10.8 percent.

County Clerk Sherry Johnson gave her Quarterly Financial Report:

Receipts YTD - $4,905,740.84

Total Disbursements YTD- $4,385,222.75

Book Balance/Excess Fees - $520,518.09

Magistrates went into closed session to discuss pending litigation. No action was taken when the court returned.

The court approved a five-year contract for the Revcord E-911 Recording Equipment at an increased cost. Previously, the county paid $2,600 annually. The payment will be $3,911 annually for five years.

The court agreed to spend $500 plus to repair a Chevy 1500 truck for the road department. They also approved taking the Caterpillar Backhoe to Boyd Equipment for oil ring repair.

The court will rebid the Butler County Fire Department's Generator Project, breaking the bids down into different sections, generators, concert pads, and fencing with the hopes of receiving lower bids.

The court approved the following additional items:

--Bills and transfers

--Transfer $10,000 from General Fund to E-911

--Transfer $35,000 from General Fund to Jail Fund

--FY 2024 Wage Scale Revisions