Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 AM. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and County Clerk Ron Roberts.

Commissioner Anderson motioned to approve the minutes of Monday, July 28 and Tuesday July 29, 2003 as amended. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the July 28, 2003 vouchers in the amount of $398,056.18. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

R. M. Williams came before the Commissioners to discuss his concerns about the alignment of a new box bridge structure in Clay Township, located on Bluestem Road about 2 miles south of SE 210. After some discussion, with County Engineer Daryl Lutz, it was decided that the project was nearly complete and no alignment changes could be made at this time. Commissioners Carpenter and Anderson agreed to visit the site and revisit with Mr. Williams.

Jail Director Ben Crooks came before the commissioners to report the current population of the jail is 175 total. This breaks down to 41 US Marshals, 13 INS, 65 Johnson County, 5 Butler County Cities, and 51 Butler County Prisoners.

Tammy Harper, nurse for the jail, presented a review of the medical operations at the jail and on potential saving from not taking prisoners to the doctor or the hospital emergency room.

Administrator Johnson presented the 9 County Fire Districts budgets for the Commissioner’s review. They discussed the various fire district budget amounts and estimated mill levies and agreed to the presented amounts. It was the consensus of Commissioners to allow Administrator Johnson to publish the county and fire districts as presented and save any further discussions for the public hearing.

A Public Hearing will be August 19 at 9:00 AM in the Commission Meeting Room on the fourth floor of the Courthouse 205 W. Central.

Chairman Carpenter called a recess at 10:15 AM

Chairman Carpenter called the meeting back to order at 10:20 AM.

The Commissioners received a Rail Road Property summary report from Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development. After reviewing the document the Commissioners asked Administrator Johnson to have Mr. Powell expand on some areas of the report and to receive and file the report.

None

Commissioner Doll motioned to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 AM seconded by Commissioner Shriver. Motion carried 5-0