Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Judge/Executive Tim Flener appointed Kelly Fugate to finish Wayne Russ's term as Butler County Jailer before the Fiscal Court meeting on Monday, November 24, at the Butler County Courthouse.  Fugate became the fourth woman to serve as Butler County Jailer.  Gusta Tuck served in 1961; Catherine McKinney in 1969; and Sophia Snodgrass in 1970.  Several family members and friends attended in support of Fugate.

All magistrates were in attendance at the meeting: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.  In the audience were several who have filed to run for magistrate in their respective district.

Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward addressed the court regarding several routine items, which were all approved by the court:  2025 Sheriff"s budget amended due to increase in vehicle repairs, a new $1,200 payroll program and COPS grant timing issue

The COPS grant funding extended because a deputy returned to work within the fiscal year.  The annual order was amended to include CLEFP funds ($43,000) raising the maximum salary amount from $607,000 to $650,000 for the office.  The only change for the 2026 budget is a $0.50/hour raise for all county employees

The court had a lengthy discussion concerning the Rosco Taylor Road.  The road is a dead end and has been a county road for several years.  A creek crosses the road, land owners have built a house across the creek and have asked for a tile to be placed in the road. According to County Road Foreman Jonthan Deweese, the cost is about $4,487.  

According to magistrate Dillon Bryant, it is a matter of fairness, Lindsay Cemetery Road and Tater Ridge Road have similar issues affecting multiple families.  

"If one is done they should all be fixed," said Bryant.  

The motion was tabled until other magistrates could look at the roads in question.

The court approved the following additional items:

--KACo All Lines Fund

--Transfer of $35,000 from the general fund to the jail fund

--Transfer of $10,000 from the general fund to the E911 fund

 --Bills and transfers