The Butler County pension fund is weathering the current economic storm.

Although the pension fund, which is mostly in the form of investments, dropped $8 million since April, it’s still $15 million higher than it was a year ago.

As of this week, the fund totaled roughly $122 million, down from April’s $130 million. At the end of April 2010, the total was $107 million.

The county retirement board on Thursday discussed the fund’s status.

County Controller Jack McMillin said the diversification of the fund’s assets benefits the county, particularly during bad economic times.

“We’re doing a little better than the average,” he said.

The retirement board in the last couple years created more asset categories.

“We’ve broadened the assets of the pension fund,” he said.

Consultant Roger Raulin of Raulin agreed having additional asset categories helped the county.

“You made some money diversifying,” he said.

County Treasurer Diane Marburger agreed the changes to the fund were necessary.

“This is the payoff from doing that,” she said during an interview.

The pension fund totaled $120 million at the end of 2010.

McMillin pointed out the fund didn’t make any long-term gains since the end of last year because the county made its annual contribution to the fund.

“We’re not $2 million up,” he said at the meeting. “We put money into it ... We’re sitting about where we were at the end of the year.”

McMillin has long advocated the county never miss making an annual contribution to the pension fund to ensure it remains healthy.

County Treasurer Diane Marburger agrees.

“We continue to make the necessary contributions to maintain the funding level,” she said during the interview. “Once you stop doing that, you’re digging a hole.”

Raulin said the pension fund is doing well considering the current economy.

“You’ve got a sound fund,” he said.

County officials agree.

“Given all the turmoil in the markets and the volatility, our fund is holding its own,” Marburger said.

Commissioner Jim Lokhaiser echoed Marburger’s sentiment.

“Based on the way things are and the market, we’re very fortunate,” he said.

There are 784 employees enrolled in the county pension plan.

The county pays an average total of $454,000, or roughly $1,100 a person, each month in pension benefits to 411 retirees or beneficiaries.

McMillin said during the meeting it’s beneficial the county has more employees enrolled than retirees receiving benefits.

“It’s almost a 2-to-1 ratio,” he said. “There are plans that are the other way around. We’re in a fairly healthy position there.”