Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met in its final regular session for September on Monday night. All magistrates were present along with some interested onlookers and visitors.
After approving the minutes from prior meetings the magistrates dealt with a short agenda. The first item was approval of payments from the $100-Mile Litter Abatement fund. Payments were approved to; Reedyville Rural Development-$596, BCHS Baseball-$595, and BCHS Baseball Boosters-$624. The motion to approve the payments passed by a 5-0 vote.
Butler County Jailer Terry Fugate spoke to the Court and presented some changes to the Jail Policy and Procedure Manual. Fugate said that his staff had worked with the WKU Police Department for Taser and Pepper Spray training and certification, and that most of the staff was now certified. The Department of Corrections requires certified staff on each shift. Fugate said some staff chose not to receive the training because it requires being shot with a Taser.
Fugate presented the jail’s new Response to Resistance policy to the Court for approval. State law requires that changes and additions to the jail policy manual must be presented to the Court for approval. The policy is based on the WKU Police Department’s resistance policy, with changes made because deputy jailers don’t carry firearms. The Court approved the policy by a 5-0 vote.
Next, approval was given for Judge David Fields to purchase a John Deere mowing tractor, including a Tiger Boom mower, for up to $17,500, plus a 7% buyer’s premium. Fields, along with Magistrate David Whittinghill, and County Road Supervisor Jonathan Deweese plan to attend the State of Kentucky Surplus Auction this week. Several of the surplus mowers are available, and have relatively low hours—around 6,000—for the type of equipment. Andrew Gabbard from Green River Materials, regularly attends Fiscal Court meetings and advised the Court that the mower was a bargain at that price.
Fields told the Court that if a mower can be bought for $17,500 or less that they will buy one at the sale. Approval for the purchase was given by a 5-0 vote.
Magistrate Stevie Givens asked to start the process to add a portion of Hidden Valley Road to the County Road List. Givens reported that approximately two-tenths of a mile of the road would be added, and that one new house is already built on the road, with two lots sold with construction of homes planned.
Judge Fields appointed Jon Deweese, Bobby Moore, and Johnny Tuck to inspect the road and report back at the next regular Court meeting if possible. A hearing on adding the road was tentatively scheduled for October 26th at 4 p.m.
Road Supervisor Jonathan Deweese reported to the Court concerning moving drug testing from Bowling Green, to Morgantown. Deweese said that Dr. Vincent’s office is part of the Premier network, and that Premier currently does drug testing for the Road Department.
Letting Jailer Terry Fugate’s staff do drug testing was briefly discussed. However it was decided that since there will be no difference in the cost of tests that Premier would continue to administer them. Magistrate Chad Tyree and Judge Fields both pointed out that Premier is experienced with handling the paperwork involved with CDL drug testing, and that with no price difference staying with Premier seemed to be the best solution. No action was needed on the measure.
After approving bills and transfers the Court dealt with some items brought up in open discussion.
Magistrate Bobby Moore told the Court that one of his constituents is building a new home on Flener-Monford Road, and is concerned about a steep drop-off across from the property. She asked Moore if a guardrail or fence could be erected to protect her children from the drop-off.
Judge Fields and Road Supervisor Jonathan Deweese both told Moore that the County Road Department does not install guardrails. Deweese told Moore that a fence would create problems with keeping the right of way cleared, and that one of the biggest problems his crews face in clearing right of ways are old fences. It was also suggested that the landowner across the road would have to give permission to erect the fence.
No action was taken on the request.
Andrew Gabbard asked for a progress report on the Leonard Oak boat ramp project. Judge Fields told Gabbard that tree removal was complete, and that paperwork had been given to the state, and then forwarded to federal officials. Both the state and county are now waiting for federal approval to proceed with the process.
Carlis Raymer spoke briefly to the Court concerning a possible construction waste landfill being opened in the 2nd District near Kuntry Korner. Raymer said he had heard that Ken-Way Contracting was opening the less than one acre landfill. Officials said they would find out more information about the matter.
The meeting was then adjourned.

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Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News.