Fiscal Court Passes Moratorium on Data Centers

 

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Jobe Reporter

 

Butler County Fiscal Court held its regular meeting on June 22, 2026.

First up was the KACO Insurance renewal. Some properties were questioned and removals were made to the list. The Fiscal Court approved the updated list.

The Fiscal Court approved the first reading on the data center moratorium. This deals with the utilities part and allows the Fiscal Court to conduct studies on water and electricity and appoint a committee to explore what it will cost the utilities if a data center was to be built in the county. As of right now no data center has expressed interest in building in Butler County.

Marty Jones from the Industrial Development Authority was next to speak about the recent purchase of riverfront property. Jones presented to the Fiscal Court a proposal to bid out some walking/biking paths around the property and parking areas. The Fiscal Court approved to list the bids.

Updates were made to the Administration code,

Carla Sandusky from Spectrum gave a update to the fiber optic build out in the county. In 4 years they have completed 96%.

Tommy Hines from The Green River Museum asked the Fiscal Court for funding to continue the schools visits and the museum being open on weekends along with reglazing of the windows. Hines also announced this year’s recipient of the Impact Award on July 26 will be Becky Hankins. The Fiscal Court approved $2,000.

The Fiscal Court then went into a closed session where as upon return no action was taken.

The Fiscal Court re-appointed Becky Hankins and Roger Southerland to the Butler County Tourism Board.

The AT&T contract with the Fiscal Court for phone service to the courthouse has hit another snag. Norcon, who will do the installation is requiring another $2,000 for the installation. This has been a reoccurring issue for Fiscal Court but one that they have no way of ending. Previously AT&T promised a set amount with installation being free and installed by AT&T but the contract did not reflect what was stated in open court. The Fiscal Court is on a deadline to have the phone service completed.

The Fiscal Court approved to have the EMS repeater in the 5th District repaired. If the damage was caused by storms the insurance may pay for the repairs. The Court will not know until the repairs are assessed. The Court also approved to pay for Zetron renewal for the servers protection policy. This will be a 3 year contract for $2,900.

Butler County Fiscal Court approved the following; the spay and neuter grant, litter abatement payments, the Health Department Tax rate, which will remain the same , to pay the courthouse internet for $329.95, 3rd District Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer report, 2nd District Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer report, 2nd District celebration money in the amount of $599.99 to be transferred to the 2nd District Volunteer Fire Department, transfer $10,000 from the General Fund to the E911 fund, transfer $35,000 to the Jail Fund, to accept the Treasurers monthly report for May 2026 and all other bills and transfers.

Allen Smith asked the Fiscal Court for $200-250 dollars to repaint the railings at the Rochester Ferry. The Court approved.

The next regular Fiscal Court meeting will be on July 6, 2026 in the upstairs courtroom.