Fiscal Court Surprises with a NO Vote to Removal of Lock 4 at Woodbury

 

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Gimlet Managing Editor

 

Butler County Fiscal Court held its regular meeting on July 14, 2025. The main topic of discussion was the removal of the Woodbury Dam. Chris Wernick and Adam Connelly addressed the Fiscal Court about the removal and answered questions from Magistrates and citizens about the impact on surrounding communities. After over an hour of questions, answers, and explanations, the Fiscal Court suddenly called for a “no” vote, to not allow access through the County’s property for removal. The vote passed with a 3-1 vote, with one magistrate being absent.

The second reading of the Solar Ordinance was tabled due to wanting to explore the setback from property line issues.

In the County Clerk’s quarterly report, Clerk Sherry Johnson reported that her office took in $1,749,535.50 for the second quarter, bringing the total for the first half of the year to $5,749,330.90.

The Boys and Girls allocation was released to the Club for $11,500.

The AOC memo of understanding for the Judicial Center was approved.

Fiscal Court approved to pay the Conservation District Funds of $45,000 instead of paying tax on the library, extension office, and ambulance.

Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicle Ordinance passed the least restrictive option. This will allow formerly known as off-road vehicles onto the public roads. There are rules that will have to be followed, so check with your local offices to see what meets the requirements and to have the vehicles inspected.

Jeanie Locke from Friends of Butler County and the Animal Shelter shared a check the shelter received through the KY State Agriculture for the spay neuter license plates sold in the county in the amount of, $1,146. For each plate sold $10 goes to the county. Locke also presented the list of expenditures for the $7,500 the county gives to support the shelter. They have taken in 227dogs and 401 cats since Jan. 1, 2025. 196 dogs and 370 cats have been adopted or transported to other facilities for adoption. Locke stressed that if someone adopts and finds the animal is not a good fit, they are welcome to bring them back. The spay neuter clinic has served 5 states, 46 counties, and completed 7791 spay and neuter surgeries.

 

 

The Fiscal Court approved the following; advertise bid for the Brooklyn Grancer Road stabilization, Statewide Emergency Management mutual aid and assistance agreement, Butler County Tourism financial statement, 1st District  Volunteer Fire Department financial statement in the amount of $205,600 balance, MOA for resurfacing Grancer Road in the amount of $628,000, Public Assistance grant for Feb. floods reimbursement in the amount of $133,000, litter abatement payments, financial statement for 2024-25, hazard mitigation for BRADD Administration Cost for Butler County Road stabilization project contract, Rochester monthly bills in the amount of $786.70, fourth quarter treasurer’s report, monthly treasurer’s report, transfer $20,000 from general fund to 911 fund, transfer $70,000 from General Fund to Jail fund, (this is larger due to holiday causing two payrolls falling into the same time frame), and all other bills and transfers with the exception of check #3917 to be stricken as this was a over payment.

Judge Executive Flener reminded everyone that weather radios will be distributed at each of the fire departments on Aug 9, 2025, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm.