Butler County Commissioners discuss funding, board appointments for finance authority
At an Aug. 5 meeting, the Butler County Board of Commissioners reappointed seven members to the county's finance authority board and discussed a memorandum of understanding with the authority.
The Butler County Board of Commissioners reappointed seven board members to the Butler County Finance Authority in staggered terms at an Aug. 5 meeting.
Administrator Judi Boyko said she talked with Joshua Smith, chief executive officer of the finance authority, about its scope of responsibilities and duties and how county economic development efforts can supplement and support its mission.
The finance authority requested a minimum of $250,000 contribution from the commissioners for every year of a five-year commitment. Boyko said she and Smith are creating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to clarify the scope of the services.
The four main points of the MOU touch on tracking metrics, providing basic development services, continuing distributing its statutorily assigned duties and promoting marketing efforts, Boyko said.
After traveling to different jurisdictions in the county, Smith said Butler County has a sophisticated economic development network in place, but people want more support.
"Something I heard the most was advocacy for funding from the state level, getting projects off the ground, which to me the Butler County Finance Authority could help with as we build out our tool box in terms of a bond fund or conduit financing ..." Smith said. "I would like to think our organization could fill that gap for Butler County."
President Cindy Carpenter agreed, saying she feels the network out there, but doesn't feel it coming back in and being coordinated through the county very well.
"There's such a diversity in the jurisdictions and their needs and their level of staffing across the county," Carpenter said. "So I'm glad to hear you say that [the organization can help.]"
The effective date of the MOU will be Aug. 13, 2024 ending July of 2029, the commissioners will vote on it at the Aug. 12 meeting.
The Board was also set to meet with the Butler County auditor directly after the Commissioner meeting, one of the few occasions where an elected body can meet without public notice.
Last week, Carpenter tabled the Board of Commissioners' Personnel Policy Manual vote until Aug. 5 to learn more about the modifications before approving. After no discussion, the commissioners approved the updated policy.
The Butler County Commissioners' next weekly meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 12 in the Butler County Government Services building, 315 High St.
