Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 8:00 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 Shriver motioned to approve the minutes of Tuesday, July 8- Thursday July 10, 2003, and Tuesday July 15, 2003 as presented. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve the July 21, 2003 vouchers in the amount of $ 113,312.56. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Sheriff Stan Cox and Jail Administrator Ben Crooks came before the Board to discuss jail inmate counts and revenue projections for the 2004 budget. Current jail population is 122 inmates with 70 inmate beds billable.

Chairman Carpenter called a 5-minute recess at 9:10 AM.

Chairman Carpenter called the meeting back to order at 9:15 AM.

Daryl Lutz introduced David Wagner, El Dorado City Engineer, who came before the Board to review proposed Urban Area Limits around El Dorado for Federal Aid Highway Classification and funding purposes.

Commissioners reviewed changes to the Urban Area Boundaries.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to authorize the chair to sign an agreement to establish new urban area boundaries for the City of El Dorado. Commissioner Doll seconded.

Motion passed 5-0.

CONTINUED ITEM #1 – BUDGET WORK SESSION

Commissioners continued budget discussions with Sheriff Cox and Mr. Crooks.

Agreement was reached to set the 2004 Jail Budget at $ 2,251,844 down from the requested amount of $ 2,738,844. It was further agreed that if revenues and inmate counts exceeded the budgeted projections, the commission would consider republishing the jail budget to allow for hiring additional employees to handle the increased prisoner counts.

Budget discussions continued for departments in the General Fund.

Commissioner Shriver wants to allow for a 1.5% to 2% cost of living raise, for County employees through other reductions. It is the consensus of the Board to not raise the 2004 mill levy above the 2003 Level of 35.7 mills. Commissioners asked Administrator Johnson to work on his budget numbers more to get down to that level and they would look at the budgets again Tuesday.

Commissioner Shriver left the meeting at 12:15 PM

Chairman Carpenter would like to look into putting out a Butler County information bulletin to inform the public of county projects and functions. It could also be used to show how we rank with other counties so they can see that we rank very well when compared to our peers.

Commissioner Anderson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 12:50 PM seconded by Commissioner Wheeler. Motion carried 4-0