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The Butler County Commission voted Friday morning to keep county offices and the Butler County Courthouse closed to the public until their June 9 meeting, when they will reevaluate the region’s COVID-19 statistics.

The Commission had been considering reopening the Courthouse and county offices to the public beginning next week, however, during a special-called meeting held via conference call Friday morning, voted 4-1 in favor of staying closed.

“I think we’re making great progress toward the time when we can open our Courthouse up,” District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Jesse F. McWilliams III said.

District 3 Commissioner Frank Hickman made the motion to remain closed until the June 9 regular meeting of the Butler County Commission.

“I make this motion to remain closed until we meet again on June 9, based on the information we have been presented with this past week on the state level, the local level and the national level about where Butler County is situated in the virus – as we in Butler County are one of the hot spots,” he said. “This is not a good time given this particular information that has gained national notoriety. I personally believe until we show some progress – until there is some indication that this virus is reducing the infection rate – we do not have to have our employees who are working every day be exposed anymore to the public.”

Hickman noted that the vast majority of business that needs to be conducted at the Butler County Courthouse could be done by phone, online or by mail.

“Taxes can be made, tags can be renewed,” he said.

Hickman also said that despite the challenges, the current system had been working well.

“Everyone understands the desire to open the Courthouse,” Hickman said. “It’s really helping your neighbors by not coming to the Courthouse at this time.”

McWilliams asked if there was more discussion about the motion and District 5 Commissioner Darrell Sanders asked about revising it to allow the Butler County Courthouse and other offices to reopen on June 8. He suggested meeting on June 5 to determine the situation. However, the other commissioners agreed with Hickman’s motion to remain closed voting to reevaluate things on June 9 with a 4-1 vote with Sanders voting against it.

At the close of the meeting, commission members wanted to remind Butler County residents that there are ways to conduct business with the Probate Office and the Revenue Office.

To renew vehicle tags online, visit www.renewyourtag.com and decals will be mailed. If you received your notice by mail, you can mail a check to the Probate Office, P.O. Box 756, Greenville, AL. 36037, and decals will be mailed; the $3 handling fee for each tag has been waived. You can also renew tags by phone with a credit or debit card by calling (334) 382-3512. You may also wait until the Courthouse reopens and renew without penalty until June 19.

Driver’s licenses can also be renewed online at www.alea.gov, deeds and mortgages can be mailed to be recorded and marriage forms can be mailed to be recorded.

Until the Courthouse reopens, you can also make an appointment to come to the courthouse parking lot to purchase tags for new vehicle purchases.

The Revenue Commissioner can accept tax payments by mail with a cashier’s check or money order, or taxes may be paid by phone with credit or debit cards or online through the website www.butlercountyal.com with a debit card or credit card. Most all other business can be done by phone at (334) 382-6312 or (334) 382-3221.