Butler Fiscal Court Gets Hit With Another Bill From AT&T
Sheriff Scotti Ward. PHOTO | Lynn Bledsoe
Lynn Bledsoe
Jobe Reporter
Butler County Fiscal Court held its regular meeting on July 27, 2026, all magistrates were present.
First on the agenda was another bill from AT&T. The new bill is $2,000. The issues stem from a Fiscal Court meeting in December of 2025, when the Fiscal Court was presented a proposal from AT&T to complete work of installing phone, and fax lines in the courthouse. In May 2026, the Fiscal Court was required to pay $13, 252.67 to AT&T. Since then the Fiscal Court has had to pay $2,000 in July and now another $2,000. These additional $2,000 payments are for installation charges from a third party that AT&T has contracted to complete the installs. The Fiscal Court has a contract with AT&T so they have no choice but to pay the additional amount.
After a incident at Rochester Ferry where a vehicle almost went into the river, the Fiscal Court will be looking into more safety measures.
The County Clerk asked approval to spend $804.31 for totes that are in the bottom of the voting machines to be able to collect the ballots. Clerk Sherri Johnson also reported she needed tax rates from the county and all others, by September 14, 2026 to be able to start collection on October 1.
The Jail Quarterly report was given by Jailer Kelli Fugate. It was accepted by the Fiscal Court.
Jailer Kelli Fugate. PHOTO | Lynn Bledsoe
The Road Flex Funds Payment for $171,479, was approved. Judge Flener noted that payments were down about $60,00 from last year. There was still $9,107.45 that was carried over from last year.
The County/City Bridge program was addressed next. The Dimple Sugar Grove Bridge is the last bridge to need replacement, the Fiscal Court agreed to apply for the program.
The Fiscal Court approved the Homeland Security Grant application, with a 10% match by the county, to be able to purchase repeaters for first responders vehicles. The cost for 27 units is $197,538.83.
Fiscal Court approved the following pending final audit; Sheriff’s 2025 Franchise Tax Settlement and the Sheriff’s Property Tax settlement.
The Fiscal Court approved the Butler County Conservation District, the county tax rates, 1st District VFD Treasurers report, 4th District VFD Treasurers report, to transfer $115.00 to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office for the ICE Grant, to pay the R & R Email proposal, to pay the Butler County Tourism tax for $1655.23, to transfer $10,000 to E911, to transfer $35,000 to the Jail Fund, and all other bills and transfers.
The next Fiscal Court will be on August 10, 2026 in the upstairs courtroom and is open to the public.
