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Jackson County won’t be giving $100,000 toward the reconstruction of the historic Butte Creek Mill that was destroyed by a 2015 electrical fire on Christmas Day. The Jackson County Budget Committee — made up of three residents and the three county commissioners — voted 4-2 to deny the funding request from the Butte Creek Mill Foundation. “We’re very disappointed,” said Sue Kupillas, board president for the nonprofit foundation and a former county commissioner. “We’ve appeared before the board of commissioners several times. We’ve talked with them individually. It’s a great economic development project and we certainly believe they have the authority to fund it.” Budget committee members said they personally believe reconstruction of the mill is a great project, but most balked at using public money for the cause. “I don’t know where you draw the line. I call it a slippery slope,” said resident budget committee member Dick Rudisile. If the county gave money for the mill reconstruction, that would prompt other groups to come forward seeking public funding for their equally worthwhile projects, he said. Rudisile said the county government has weathered economic storms by setting priorities, such as the funding of law enforcement, and exercising financial discipline in less important areas. Rudisile was joined by Commissioners Colleen Roberts and Bob Strosser, as well as resident budget committee member April Sevcik, in voting down the funding request. Sevcik wrote out a personal check to the Butte Creek Mill Foundation after the vote. She said she personally values the reconstruction project, but county residents are most worried about public safety — not the historic mill. Commissioner Rick Dyer and resident budget committee member Craig Morris argued in favor of funding the mill reconstruction, saying it was a worthwhile investment that had economic, historic, educational and environmental benefits. Dyer said rebuilding the mill is a form of economic development and once it’s up and running, it will generate revenue that supporters can donate to other community groups. “It is an extremely worthy cause,” Morris said. So far, the Butte Creek Mill Foundation has raised more than $1.7 million toward its $2.5 million goal, said Maryanne Pitcher, executive director of the foundation. The foundation has received grants and individual donations, as well as funding from businesses, she said. After much discussion, the Eagle Point City Council recently decided to give $100,000 for the project. “They decided that it was economic development and it was a real asset for the town of Eagle Point and that they should fund it,” Kupillas said. The mill began operating in 1872, using creek water to activate a turbine that ran wheels, belts and pulleys that turned large millstones for the grinding of grain into flour. Although the mill was long a successful business, insurance didn’t cover the full costs of rebuilding from the 2015 fire. The Butte Creek Mill Foundation, which now owns the mill, was formed to raise money, secure grants and rebuild the mill in a historically accurate manner. With money still to be raised, construction already has started, including the raising of the timber frame for the building. The historic grinding stones survived the fire. Supporters hope to have the mill running again in February 2019, with a grand opening celebration in March 2019, Kupillas said. Pitcher said the mill project will create eight to 10 jobs in the beginning. She said the historic mill had underused capacity, and the reconstructed mill likely can increase its output. In addition to grinding wheat for flour, the mill could grind barley for alcoholic beverages. Mill products can be sold at local businesses and online, Pitcher said. The next fundraising event for the mill is the Butte Creek Mill Foundation Golf Tournament, Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Eagle Point Golf Club, 100 Eagle Point Drive, Eagle Point. For information on the golf tournament or to make a donation, visit https://buttecreekmill.com/products/benefit-golf-tournament/. Donations to the Butte Creek Mill Foundation can also be mailed to P.O. Box 957, Eagle Point, OR 97524. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.