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, and Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and County Clerk Ron Roberts.

The County Planning Department has been working with the City of Douglass to have the Butler County Building Inspectors serve as Douglass Inspectors also. This inter-local agreement is modeled after the agreement with the City of Benton. The inspection fee will be $135.00 per permit. Price is based on lumping three or four inspections per trip. The City of Douglass has adopted the same building codes as Butler County, and their City Council has approved the agreement. The final step is for the County Commissioners to approve the agreement.

Commissioner Anderson motioned to approve the agreement with the City of Douglass for building inspections by county inspectors at a rate of $135.00 per inspection and approve Resolution 03-50. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5-0

The rescue squad would like to purchase a second inflatable rescue boat for use in the southern half of the county. It will allow for a more rapid response to water rescue situations. The Augusta Public Safety Department is willing to pay half of the cost. The new boat, motor, and trailer will be housed at the El Dorado EMS Building and the older boat will be housed in Augusta.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve the purchase a Zodiac Inflatable Rescue boat, motor, and trailer by the rescue squad in partnership with Augusta Public Safety, total cost not too exceed $10,000. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0

Department of Aging Director, Connie Rausch, notified the Commissioners that they have been awarded four Federal Grants through Central Planes Area Agency on Aging (CPAAA). All four grants are amended Notice of Grant Awards (NGA’s) for the current grant year ending September 30, 2003. There are sufficient matching funds budgeted for these grants.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the acceptance of the four NGA’s for Federal Fiscal Year 2004 and authorize the Chair to sign the grants. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5-0

Administrator Johnson presented the revised 2003/2004 Strategic Plan to the commission for their consideration and approval. This is a three-year review of the Strategic Plan for the County Enhanced Enterprise Zone. After reviewing the revised plan it was the consensus of the Board that all of the suggested changes had been made to their satisfaction.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the amended 2003/2004 Butler County Economic Development Strategic Plan as amended and also approve Resolution 03-51 (The County Reconfirmation of the Economic Development Organization). Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5-0

Administrator Johnson came before the commission to request permission to publish the 2004 proposed County Budget and set a public hearing time for August 19, 2003 at 9:00 AM.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve publication of the 2004 Butler County Budget and set the public hearing for August 19, 2003 at 9:00 AM. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion Carried 5-0

Chairman Carpenter called a 10-minute recess at 9:40 AM.

Chairman Carpenter called the meeting back to order at 9:50 AM.

Commissioner Anderson informed the Board that the Fire District # 3 Station, in Rose Hill, is progressing.

Commissioner Doll requested a review of Administrator Johnson’s letter to Andover, which addressed concerns about the Sales Tax Committee makeup. The letter was approved, by consensus, with minor revisions.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to recess to Executive Session, at 10:10 AM, to discuss matters concerning non-elected personnel for 20 minutes. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0

Commissioner Carpenter called the meeting back to order at 10:30 AM.

No action was taken at this time.

Commissioner Anderson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:31 AM. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.