BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, February 23, 2004

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

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

ITEM #1 – WORK SESSION – PRESENTATION BY ROSE HILL POLICE CHIEF BOB SAGE ON THE BUTLER COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES GROUP. (BCESA)

Bob Sage, Rose Hill Police Chief, came before the Board with a presentation on the Butler County Emergency Services Group. The presentation included the history and problems of 911; creation of a coalition of emergency service responders and agencies; lobbying for statewide communications upgrades; BCESA Mission Statement; Focus and

Plan for correction of problems. Chief Sage recommended hiring a consultant to study the communication problems and offer solutions.

Commissioner Doll asked if there was an anticipated cost for the upgrade. Chief Sage stated that there is no way of knowing the cost at this time.

Commissioner Shriver recommended that the first thing that should be done is to get the consultant to prepare a basis and estimate on cost for upgrading the emergency services in Butler County.

It was the consensus of the Board to have BCESA prepare for the hiring of a consulting firm and report back to the Board at a later date.

RECESS

Commissioner Carpenter called a 5-minute recess at 9:50 a.m.

RECONVENE

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 9:55 a.m.

ITEM #2 – WORK SESSION – PRESENTATION BY CONNIE RAUSCH, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGING, ON THE SENIOR CENTER ANNUAL REPORTS AND ACTIVITIES.

Connie Rausch, Director of Department of Aging, came before the Board to present the Senior Center Annual Reports and Activities and the Bradford Memorial Library Report. The 12 Senior Centers and Bradford Memorial Library are required to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Aging.

Commissioner Wheeler asked about Hospice care for Cassoday. Ms. Rausch stated that to her knowledge, Cassoday is too far away, but that she would investigate this. Commissioner Anderson suggested that Ms. Rausch investigate all small towns in Butler County for coverage by Hospice. Ms. Rausch will investigate Hospice coverage in Butler County and report back to the Board at a later date.

ITEM #3 – WORK SESSION – PRESENTATION ON SCOPE BY PKHL ARCHITECTS ON THE ANNEX REMODELING PROJECT.

Vince Haines, of Prigmore, Krievins, Haines & Limon Architects, came before the Board to present a scope on the annex-remodeling project. Mr. Haines presented the “raw data” on the square footage required per department.

Commissioner Shriver asked if the structure of the building is worth saving.

Mr. Haines stated that the structure is very sound. The roof, especially over the old jail part, is the least stable part of the building and would need replacing.

Commissioner Shriver asked about the heating and air system.

Mr. Haines stated that this is one of the largest problems with the building as it also feeds to the historic Court House building.

Administrator Johnson stated that approximately $250,000 will be freed up from the debt service budget in 2004, plus outside rent saved, approximately $104,000, and the sale of unused buildings would provide monies to support new bond payments without affecting the current mill levy.

Commissioner Doll asked for an estimate on how much it would add to the cost if the building was to be refaced to match the historic and new courthouses. Also, Commissioner Doll asked for an estimate on demolishing the building and building a completely new one. Mr. Haines could not quote a cost at this time.

Further discussion on cost estimates, space needs and a time frame will be scheduled for the Monday, March 1, 2004 meeting of the Board.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Wheeler motioned to approve the minutes of February 17, 2004, as written. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve the vouchers for February 23, 2004 in the amount of $186,948.84. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve Adds and Abates #2176. Adds are in the amount of $1,159.06. Abates are in the amount of $ 2,774.06. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn to Executive Session for 10 minutes, at 11:40 a.m., to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Those in attendance were Commissioners Anderson, Carpenter, Doll, Shriver, Wheeler and Administrator Johnson.

RECONVENE

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 11:50 a.m.

OTHER ITEMS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD

Commissioner Anderson motioned to appoint Virgil Tingley to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Carpenter ask for the letter to the Butler County Community College Board regarding this Board’s opposition to dropping “County” from the name of the college. All Commissioners signed the letter.

Administrator Johnson announced that Walter Anderson is retiring from the Council on Aging and Shirley Gray is vacating her position on the Council of Aging. Appointments will be made at a later date. Also, Johnson reported that Vick Cox would like to be reappointed to the Council on Aging.

Commissioner Doll motioned to reappoint Vick Cox to the Council on Aging. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Wheeler excused himself from the meeting at 12:00 p.m.

NEW BUDGET BOOKS

Administrator Johnson presented the Board with new budget books.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to adjourn the Board of Commissioners meeting at 12:05 p.m. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0.