Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City of El Dorado Commission Room. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson and County Clerk Ron Roberts.

Ernest D. Stevens President. of the El Dorado Senior Center, spoke on the problems the elderly are having getting to appointments and shopping since the county changed the busing procedures. He stated that he felt moving the buses from El.Dorado to Augusta made the system slower, less efficient and less user friendly. He also stated he felt the previous taxi style of service better served this community.

Commissioners said there was work being done to make some adjustments in the new busing service and they would continue to monitor the transportation system for ways to make the service best serve all of Butler County.

Mayor Connie Phillips welcomed the Commissioners to city hall.

She said they were remodeling City Hall and this was one of the last meetings that would be held in the City Commission Room.

She was pleased with the sales tax committee meetings and informed the Commissioners it was a key concern of El Dorado that they not be harmed by the implementation of a County Tax. The Mayor also said she understood the need for the County to become less dependant on property taxes and seek other revenue streams.

Mayor Phillips told the Commissioners El Dorado supported the Wholesale Water District and would continue work with them to keep the plan moving forward. She felt the lake was a tremendous asset and the City was interested in ways to share that with other areas of the county that would benefit all parties.

The last item she spoke about was El Dorado’s concern about empty buildings in the down town area, that would be a result of the county moving into it’s new judicial center.

Commissioners received an update on the last Sales Tax Committee meeting. The commissioners attending the meeting felt the committee was becoming more focused on the tasks and were becoming more favorable toward the idea of a county sales tax. They are now going to start working on more specific recommendations.

Sheriff Stan Cox came before the board requesting purchasing 22 additional cots for the jail. Together with the 8 they had in storage would increase the total beds in the jail to 240. The estimated cost would be $13,819.56 and he asked for authorization to spend up to $15,000 to allow for unanticipated cost. The men’s sections have been running in the upper 90% range and they felt they could probably fill the extra beds if they were available. This would bring the bed count to the max that would stay in the required square footage per prisoner.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve the purchase of 22 additional cots for the jail for an amount not to exceed $15,000. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Administrator told the Commissioners the next Sales Tax Committee meeting would be tomorrow November 5 in the Commerce Bank Building.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 8:00p.m. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.