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"Transparency and Accountability" are two things that all citizens and taxpayers should demand from their elected officials in all levels of government. If they fail to deliver these two necessities then you should vote them out at the next election. As a legislator and now as your County Commissioner, I have and will keep you informed of our county government agenda and decisions. As usual, I will ask for your help and input. It is a pleasure once again to serve the citizens of Butler County.
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Information and Constituent's Input My website is for information purposes, keeping
you the constituent of Butler County District 2 informed about your county,
county government agendas, decisions and minutes of all meetings. It is
also for you to express your opinions and concerns of our
county. Notice Constituent's Input tab in left menu column. I
want to share my experiences for the next several years with you.
Make Plans to attend a Commission Meeting! County to help Augusta's Senior Citizen Organization REAP Grant approved by Commission Monday and Tuesday Meetings
Trash Talk Again
By Jessica Seibel
El Dorado Times
Posted Aug 03, 2010 @ 06:00 PM
El Dorado, Kan. — Trash was once again a topic of discussion for the Butler County Commissioners. During their Monday meeting, the commissioners held a work session to discuss the possibility accepting trash from Bel Aire at the Butler County Landfill. The commissioners talked about the possibility of accepting grass clippings and other green waste at the landfill, as well as the possibility of designating a specific route for the haulers coming from Bel Aire.
Commissioner Peggy Palmer voiced concerns about the trash trucks adding to the wear and tear on Ohio Street.
According to Public Works Director Darryl Lutz, there would be about 45 tons of trash coming from Bel Aire, which would amount to six truck loads each week.
Commissioners Bruce Harris and Jeff Masterson pointed out that six trucks each week would probably not make much of a difference considering how many trucks already utilize Ohio Street every day.
“I would have to agree with the general thought that six trucks would not be a problem,” said Lutz.
Currently, about 15 to 20 trash trucks unload at the landfill each day. Additionally, the commissioners discussed whether or not to accept green waste at the landfill.
Green waste would increase methane gas production, which could be beneficial if the county approves a methane-to-usable-energy project.
Commissioners Harris, Masterson and Dan Woydziak expressed that they were in favor of allowing green waste at the landfill. The commissioners will send the proposed agreement with Bel Aire to the Solid Waste Committee for review before taking any action. Currently, Butler County accepts trash from Marion County, which brings an average of 20 to 25 tons per day to the landfill. This trash amounts to about $240,000 in gross revenue for Butler County.
County Commissioners Code of Ethics (to be proposed)
Clean-up Policy and Events 2011
Commissioners Amend Augusta's NRP
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Kelly Herzet was appointed sheriff of Butler County Monday night, April 11, by the Butler County Prescient Committee at the Bradford Library in El Dorado. He out polled candidate Robert Sage 33 to 18. Sheriff Herzet has been the under-sheriff for Craig Murphy for the past 18 months. Mr. Sage is the chief of police in Rose Hill.
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Butler county landfill is now accepting hazardous waste 6 days a week, rather than one Saturday a month. They also accept electronics daily that are no longer wanted. It's a great landfill and Butler County is fortunate to have such a facility.
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no meetings are scheduled. Meetings are held in the courthouse on the 4th floor. Agendas are posted on the internet prior to meetings. Please notice the tab in the menu at left "Meeting Agendas"
Plan on attending some of these meetings.
Commissioners' Approve 2011 Budget for publication with a 5.6% increase
August 3, 2010 - On a 4-1 vote, Butler County Commissioners' approved the publication of the 2011 county budget of $38 million. The county’s mill levy will be 35.999 in 2011, which is a reduction from the 2010’s 36.522 mill levy.
The commissioners voted 4-1 to approve publication of the operating budget.
Commissioners Bruce Harris, Jeff Masterson, Mike Wheeler and Dan Woydziak voted to approve publication of the budget and Commissioner Peggy Palmer was opposed.
This budget has a 5.6 percent increase in expenditures over the 2010 budget, with the majority of the increase coming from sales
tax revenue for upgrades to the emergency communications system, fuel tax revenue from the state of Kansas for road and bridge maintenance and employee benefits.
Check out complete profile of Butler County.
Just about every detail you can think of about your county. The one noticeable stat that jumps out is our unemployment rate of 7.8% compared to the state rate of 6.3%.
Go to Profile
El Dorado Times on Commissioners' Meeting concerning Augusta Senior Center. Nov. 17
A real good start to local government transparency. Kansas Open Gov.
Check it out
During these years of property tax increases, Butler County's population has increased
6.4%. Our mil level has increased 18.4% compared to 15.4% state wide. Population increase state wide has increased 8.3%.
Consider this web site as Butler County Open Gov. I will keep you informed.
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Sanitation codes were our main topic of conversation at our November 29th meeting.
What it amounts to is this: More regulations and more fees. Read story
Also, read this story link about the same kind of regulations established in Oregon. This is
a good example of what happens to the local constituency when no one is paying attention!
Oregon story
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Augusta Doesn't Make the Grade for wind
farm grant money?
“I just want to make an official statement that
I am of course going to vote for the other
great places we are going to help, but I do believe the Augusta proposal is something that is historic and actually speaks to the masses of the total Butler County as far as historic preservation and I am disappointed the commissioners didn’t see their way to fund at least a portion of it,” Palmer said.
Read full story El Dorado Times
Same story in Augusta Gazette
No more brick mailbox structures along
some county roads in our county.
We now cater to drunk and reckless drivers' safety, rather than an attempt to improve the looks of a plain old mailbox installed along a roadway!
Read story from El Dorado Times
You Tube Video of Policy and Mailboxes
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Bob Johnson's Property Rights?
Final Roll Call Vote on Raising Debt Ceiling
August 2, 2011
County to hold public hearing on budget Aug. 16
Commissioners Split on 2012 Budget
My NO vote on 2012 budget
To: NEWS@ELDORADOTIMES.COM
Sent: 8/2/2011 8:48:40 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: COMMENTS FOR JESSICA 2012 Budget
Hello Jessica,
I appreciate your requests for more information.
My NO Vote on the Budget is simple; I cannot support The County’s proposed budget that has increased spending and taxes.
A flat mill levy does not reflect less spending or lower taxes. When valuations go up new money is raised through increases in valuations, it can either be used for spending increases or for reduce taxes by lowering the mill levy.
Times are tough, the future is unknown and the time has come when the people’s ability to pay must be considered and placed first in the decision making process. The majority of the commissioners have ruled and unfortunately, the County continues to tax and spend in a time when austerity is paramount.
Thank you and let me know if you have any questions
Peggy Palmer
259-2121