BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, October 4, 2004
Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, County Administrator Will Johnson, Jr., and Clerk Ron Roberts.
ITEM
#1 – UNITED WAY PRESENTATION OF 2004 CAMPAIGN
Keri Myers, Chairman of United Way of El Dorado, came before the Board of
Commissioners to ask their support in encouraging county employees to sign up
for payroll deductions to make donations to the United Way. Board members Linda Swan and Kala Garman
accompanied her. There is also a United Way campaign in Augusta and employees
will have the option of designating which United Way they want their
contributions to support. The El Dorado
United Way is larger, has a paid staff, and serves more organizations than
Augusta, about 15% of their money goes to administration cost. Their goal is to
raise $201,000 in pledges this year.
Last year the county employees donated approximately $800. Administrator Johnson and the Commissioners
agreed the county should do more to encourage county employees to participate
in the payroll deduction plan. The
suggested contribution is one hours pay per month.
ITEM
#2 – WORK SESSION – ANDOVER SENIOR CENTER REMODELING PROJECT
Connie Rausch, Department on Aging Director, came before the Board to
discuss funding sources available to help the Senior Centers with remodeling or
additions. This is in relation to the Andover Senior Center asking the Board to
help them pay for an addition to their building. She stated that from her perspective, expanding the Senior
Centers has not increased membership.
RECESS
Chairman Carpenter recessed the Board at 9:50 a.m. for 5 minutes.
RECONVENE
Chairman Carpenter reconvened the Board meeting at 9:55 a.m.
ITEM
#3 – WORK SESSION – PETROLEUM BUILDING
Administrator Johnson informed the board that the estimated cost to
carpet the building
would be $10,500 to $11,000, if Buildings and Grounds took up the old
carpet. He further stated that both of
the indigent attorneys cannot use the third floor due to separation
requirements between adult and juvenile clients. This could result in a $6,000
reduction in the amount of estimated rent savings from using the building for
county functions.
It was the consensus of the Board that Buildings and Grounds Department
should start painting the space and working on the carpet to make sure the
space is ready by the first of the year.
ITEM
#4 – WORK SESSION – WHOLESALE WATER
Administrator Johnson stated that there was some discussion between Bill
Keefer, City Manager of Augusta and Gus Collins, City Manager of El Dorado,
regarding the Wholesale Water District, but as of the present time, there are
no meetings scheduled with elected officials.
Administrator Johnson is also working on involving Andover in the
discussions. There was discussion about
encouraging a meeting with the El Dorado and Augusta elected officials plus the
Board of County Commissioners some time in November.
RECESS
Chairman Carpenter recessed the Board at 10:25 a.m. for 5 minutes.
RECONVENE
Chairman Carpenter reconvened the Board meeting at 10:30 a.m.
Discussions continued on ways to move the Wholesale Water District
project forward. Commissioner Doll
suggested creating the shell and filing the name Butler County Wholesale Water
District with the Secretary of State.
This would help show the Commission is serious about moving this project
forward.
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the Minutes of the Butler County Commission Meetings of Monday, September 27, 2004 as written and Tuesday, September 28, 2004 as written. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve the vouchers for October 4, 2004 in the amount of $146,468.22. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE
THE BOARD
Administrator Johnson informed the Board of a joint meeting with the Andover Council at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 25, 2004 at the Lodge in Andover, for informal discussions about the Wholesale Water District with the Andover Council.
Commissioner Anderson and Commissioner Doll stated that they would try to attend the Rose Hill City Hall dedication on Saturday, October 9, 2004.
Commissioner Anderson stated he would like to have the Codes Court back on the agenda; he would like to finish this before his term is over.
Commissioner Wheeler stated that Ken Dainty contacted him about putting a singlewide mobile home on a five-acre tract. Our current zoning regulations do not permit this, so it was recommended that he come before the full board.
Administrator Johnson handed out the new 2005 budget books for the Commissioners to review.
Administrator Johnson stated that the Jail count is 229 with 161 billable.
Administrator Johnson stated that initial drawings are coming along for the East Annex.
Administrator Johnson informed the board of the need to review zoning around some of the cities. Some areas zoned rural residential were changed to Ag 40 when the new plan was implicated in 1999. It has been 5 years since the last review and it is time to review it again.
The Bond interest and principal payments for the Public Building Commission (PBC) were made last week and the general fund looks to be in good shape financially.
There was discussion about the arbitrage fund and bringing that fund to conclusion.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Wheeler motioned to
adjourn the meeting of the Board on October 4, 2004 at 11:45 a.m. Commissioner Anderson seconded the
motion. Motion carried 5-0.