County Commission sets public hearings for re-districting

After several weeks of discussion, the Butler County Commissioners have narrowed their re-districting discussion to three potential choices.

They will hold a public hearing in the commission room at the courthouse at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, and another one during their regular meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend and share their opinions.

Also during their Tuesday meeting, the commissioners made decisions to award $49,385 in grant money received from the wind farm near Beaumont to community organizations within the county.

Organizations receiving funding are:

• Butler County Fair Board - $5,000 for assistance with the purchase of new mister fans to help keep fairgoers and livestock cool during the 4-H fair.

• Bluestem USD 205 - $5,000 for a planned press box for the football stadium.

• Beaumont Community Association - $15,000 for a planned community building.

• Rose Hill Historical Society - $5,000 to save an old one-room schoolhouse.

• Glencoe Township - $6,000 for new cemetery fences.

• City of Douglass - $3,385 for help with the purchase of an ADA accessible lift for its swimming pool.

• City of El Dorado - $10,000 for help with expansion of its farmer's market.

In other business, the commissioners:

• approved a request by Marcelle and Sue Wilson for a homestead lot spit with APO in order to separate an existing homestead and five acres from a parcel containing approximately 161.7 acres.

• approved the purchase of a track type hydraulic excavator for the highway division of the public works department.

• approved a cost of $11,167.24 for waterline relocation work related to the west branch Whitewater River bridge replacement project on NW 50th.

• approved a consent of annexation for railroad right-of-way located in Andover extending east from the county line for a half mile. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Peggy Palmer opposed.

• held a work session to discuss their legislative platform, which they will discuss with state representatives.