Butler County Commissioners on Tuesday approved creation of a capital projects reserve fund and a $5 million transfer from the general fund to finance replacement and upgrades to the county’s 9‑1‑1 telecommunication and dispatch system.

Administrator Paul Boyko told the board the system is nearing the end of its useful life after roughly 25 years and handles about 187,000 emergency calls for police and fire service annually. The new fund (identified in the agenda as fund 03/2001) is limited to acquisition, replacement, maintenance, improvement or construction of technology, equipment and fixed assets that operate the county 9‑1‑1 emergency system.

“This fund is solely . . . managed and administered and operated by you,” Boyko said, describing the fund as one the commissioners would control for capital projects related to emergency communications. The county’s capital improvements plan had originally projected the need over several years; the $5 million transfer is intended to begin covering end‑of‑life replacements and other critical needs.

Finance Director Dave McCormick and county staff said the fund will be used for projects identified in the sheriff’s office capital-improvement proposals and other end‑of‑life infrastructure. Commissioners asked to define approval mechanisms for expenditures; Boyko and McCormick said they will develop finance attachments and procedures that reflect the board’s oversight preferences.

Commissioners and staff discussed whether the fund could also be used to support smaller jurisdictions that cannot afford essential radio or communications equipment. Boyko said the capital reserve could be used for those purposes if projects are part of the identified telecommunications capital improvements, and the money could not be moved to unrelated purposes once placed in the capital reserve.

Ending: With the transfer approved, staff said they will return with the procedural details and project lists so the board can review specific expenditures prior to disbursement.