Butler County Board of Supervisors approves earlier health insurance eligibility for new hires; sets FY25 budget hearing

The Butler County Board of Supervisors voted April 2 to change the county’s new-hire health insurance eligibility so employees become eligible the first of the month following their date of hire. Amy Shepard, HR/Finance Deputy, told the board the change shortens the waiting period from the county’s prior procedure, which began coverage the first of the month after 30 days on the job. The board approved the change on a motion by Supervisor Greg Barnett and a second by Supervisor Rusty Eddy; the minutes record the vote as "all ayes."

Why it matters: County officials said the earlier eligibility date reduces hiring friction for departments that need to onboard staff quickly. Sheriff Johnson, speaking during the discussion, said the prior timing created problems for hiring in the sheriff’s office and expressed appreciation that the board considered the change.

The board also set the public hearing for the FY25 Proposed Budget for April 23, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., and adopted a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month after representatives from Butler County Visions of Wellbeing presented the proclamation. Both actions were approved without objection.

Engineer John Riherd reported that construction slowed because of weather but that contract work at the Unverferth and Greene bridges continues; he said he will present the Engineer’s five-year plan and the FY25 engineering budget to the board at the April 9 meeting.

The supervisors also approved the county’s list of claims for March 1–31, 2024. The March claims record lists many vendors and line items across county departments and programs; notable single entries include Tyler Technologies at $90,675.75, Stew Hansen Dodge at $43,249.00, Hutchinson Salt Company at $34,629.00 and Terracon at $18,702.75. The board’s motion to approve claims passed "all ayes."

The board acknowledged receipt of multiple Manure Management Plan short-form annual updates by operator and site ID, then adjourned at 9:34 a.m. The next regular meeting was scheduled for April 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The minutes were attested by Butler County Auditor Leslie Groen and Chairman Wayne Dralle.