Butler County Board of Commissioners
The county commissioners Wednesday:
Approved a recommendation by Aaron Sheasley, elections director, to temporarily relocate two voting precincts. Butler Township 1-1 will move from the South Butler Fire Hall to Community Life Church at 1104 Pittsburgh Pike Road. The move will place two township precincts in the same location, which was a situation preferred by the precincts’ judges of elections. The Mercer Township precinct will move from the Harrisville Fire Hall to the new township building at 4629 William Flynn Highway. Sheasley said the moves were deemed temporary pending the results of the upcoming statewide congressional redistricting. Sheasley said the relocations will be posted in five places within each precinct, and flyers will be sent to voters in those precincts.
Approved the sale of 14 properties from the county repository list. The properties were priced at $600 with the exception of one, which was sold for $775. No back taxes are owed on any of the properties, many of which have issues that would prevent them from being buildable, said solicitor Wil White. He said many were purchased as buffers for neighboring properties owned by the buyers.
Ratified a partnership with Butler Area School District in which the county will assist the district in applying for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency related to reimbursements for expenses the district incurred during the coronavirus pandemic.
Approved a four-year contract between the county and the four county detectives who work for District Attorney Richard Goldinger. A 2.5% annual wage increase in 2022, 2023 and 2024 is included in the deal, as is a 7% health care contribution increase in 2022 and a 10% increase in 2025. Life insurance for the detectives will be increased from $15,000 to $50,000.
Approved agreements with First National Bank that will allow the county treasurer to collect hotel bed tax, tax certification letter and phone-in real estate tax payments online. Treasurer Diane Marburger hopes to have the program up and running by the end of the year.
Ratified action to use Maher Duessel for assistance in adminstration and general consulting for the county’s American Rescue Plan Act grant funding.
Approved a temporary contract change with ESC&R, the county-approved hazardous waste collection service. Due to air-quality issues at the facility of a contractor, ESC&R asked for mostly minimal increases per pound for the collection of 12 items, including chemicals, corrosives and flourescent light bulbs. County residents bringing their hazardous materials to a collection site pay half the cost of disposing of the items, while the county pays the other half. However, the county is reimbursed by the state Department of Environmental Protection for its half. The increase will remain in effect until October, when the commissioners will again discuss the matter. The cost to dispose of electronics will not be affected.