The Butler County Commission approved the levy of 23.5 mills of ad valorem tax at Monday’s meeting.

These are taxes that the commission has to adopt and reaffirm on an annual basis, District 3 Commissioner Frank Hickman said.

“The change is that the legislature has decided that we don’t have to do this annually,” Hickman said. “We don’t have to address it again unless there are changes made. That’s the only difference. This is more or less an acknowlegdement.”

Of the 23.5 mills, 7 go to the general fund, 4.5 mills go to the road and bridge fund and 12 mills go to the Butler County School System.

A mill is valued at one-tenth of a cent.

In other business, the commission:

• distributed appropriation checks to the Town of McKenzie and City of Georgiana;

• reappointed Jan Black to the Butler County Water Board for another six-year term;

• reappointed Frank Crowe, Lavergne Manual and Ruby Shambray to the Department of Human Resources Board for six-year terms;

• approved an agreement with Jenny Allen, certified public accountant for the preparation of the financial statement for fiscal year 2013-14;

• adopted a resolution declaring the week of March 1-7, 2015, as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week;

• discussed the 10-year solid waste plan and the need of a public hearing scheduled for March 9, at 8:30 a.m. prior to the next commission meeting;

• heard an update from county EMA director Shirley Sandy on the go to meeting for conference calling, and approved the purchase of a new pickup truck for the agency.

Hickman said the commission has to purchase the truck before the month ends, adding that the purchase was for less than what the commission had budgeted for the item.

“Then, we’ll get reimbursed,” he said. “We’ve been trying to get her a vehicle for some period of time. She came up with a good price off the state bid list.

“Based on her assurances, we’re entitled to get half,” he said. “This is a good opportunity for her to have a new vehicle. We had budgeted for her to get a used vehicle, but this opportunity allows for her to get a new vehicle for less cost than budgeted.”

• heard a good correctional facility report from Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden;

• approved to declare five sheriff department vehicles as surplus, and to give one of those vehicles — a 2009 Dodge Charger — to the Town of McKenzie for law enforcement use;

• approved the financing of four 2016 Mack Dump Trucks; and,

• approved the payment of the county’s bills.

In the time after the meeting, where commissioners give personal comments, Chairman Allin Whittle said it’s been a pleasure serving the commission as its leader.

Whittle’s title as chairman will be transferred to Darrell Sanders, commission of district 5, in April.

“I’ve had the honor of serving as the new commissioner behind two very experienced commissioners (Hickman and District 2 Commissioner Jesse McWilliams III). I do appreciate the opportunity to serve as chairman up to this point.”