BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

 

 

Commission Chairman Mike Wheeler called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m.  Present were Commissioner Will Carpenter, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Randy Waldorf, Commissioner Dan Woydziak, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and Clerk Ron Roberts.

 

ITEM #1 – RECEIVE KELLY BISHOP AND ROB LANE FOR PRESENTATION ON BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS

Kelly Bishop and Rob Lane, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, came before the Board to present information regarding Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

 

Kelly Bishop informed the Board that 90 at risk youth were served in 2004 and currently there are 41 active matches with 38 on the waiting list in the County. The Bigs in Schools Program is serving 14.  Their 2005 Goals are 20 new mentoring matches and 20 new Bigs in School matches.  Butler County BBBS has applied for grant funds to start a mentoring program for children of incarcerated parents. 

 

ITEM #2 – CONSIDER APPROVAL OF INMATE PHONE SERVICE CONTRACT RENEWAL FOR THE BUTLER COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY

Major Dwayne Wright, Jail Director, came before the Board for approval of the renewal of the contract with Evercom Systems, which provides phone service to the inmates located in the Butler County Detention Facility.

 

Jail Director Wright came before the Board with information about inmate phone usage and renewal of the contract with Evercom Systems to provide those services.  We received $40,624.50 commissions in 2004.  The original contract provided for a 30% commission less franchise taxes and other fees resulting in about a 21% actual return.  The renewal contract will be for a 40% commission based on gross revenue.  In 2004 inmate phone usage averaged 1900 calls per month, if that rate continues through 2005 the projected revenue from inmate phone usage under the new contract will be $84,755.

 

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the contract extension with Evercom Systems to provide inmate phone service in the detention facility with an increase of the commission rate from 30% to 40%.  Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

ITEM #3 – WORK SESSION – UPDATE ON RECENT WINTER STORM EVENT AND COUNTY OPERATIONS

Jim Schmidt, Emergency Management Director, came before the board to review the emergency services activities during the ice storm.

 

Chris Davis, Emergency Communications Director, reported Emergency Communications sustained an estimated $18,000 in damages and extra expenses incurred from the ice storms.  They handled 491 calls Tuesday evening.  They lost power to six of their radio repeater sites.  They were brought back up using rented generators at a cost of $900.00 per week each.  Three are still operating on generators.

 

ITEM #4 – WORK SESSION – PRESENTATION OF CLEANUP STRATEGY BY PUBLIC WORKS FOR STORM DEBRIS

Darryl Lutz, Public Works Director, came before the Board with a policy of cleanup of tree limbs from the ice storm.  He stated that tree limbs may be hauled directly to the Butler County Landfill at no charge to cities or to individuals.

 

Administrator Johnson asked the Board to consider waiving permit fees for inspecting electrical repairs related to storm damage.

 

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to waive Planning and Zoning fees for inspections of electrical repairs from ice storm damage.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.

Motion carried 5-0.

 

RECESS

Commissioner Wheeler recessed the Board at 10:10 a.m.

 

RECONVENE

Commissioner Wheeler reconvened the Board at 10:20 a.m.

 

ITEM #5 – WORK SESSION – UPDATE ON FLINTHILL’S SERVICE/CDDO BOARD

Administrator Johnson discussed the new make up of the Boards.

 

ITEM #6 – WORK SESSION – COMMISSION GOALS, ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

Administrator Johnson stated the new commissioner orientation sessions would take about three days.  It was the consensus of the new commissioners to hold those on the third, tenth, and seventeenth of February. 

 

APPROVAL OF ADS & ABATES

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve Adds & Abates #2205.  Adds in the amount of $1,584.76 and Abates in the amount of $16,509.36.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Commissioner Carpenter stated he would like to attend a Rainbows United meeting. It will be during the Commission Meeting and wanted to make sure there would be a quorum if he was gone.

 

Administrator Johnson stated he would like to setup a meeting with the Butler County legislators and the Commissioners for the evening of February second.

 

Administrator Johnson stated he would like to start the financing process for the remodel of the east annex, and seek proposals from our bonding companies.

 

Commissioner Carpenter suggested another Department Head Luncheon to let them meet the new Commissioners.  The Commissioners agreed to hold it on the 24th of January in the commission meeting room.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Doll motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 11:10 a.m.  Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.