Dedication ceremony for new Dennis Butler Meeting Room held Tuesday
By Caitlin Yamada – Sioux City Journal, Iowa (TNS)
SIOUX CITY — The old Woodbury County Board of Supervisors office has now been re-named the “Dennis Butler Meeting Room.”
The first floor meeting room was dedicated Tuesday to the county’s late budget director, Dennis Butler, who died of cancer on Aug. 21 at age 73.
Dennis Butler room
Woodbury County Building Services Director Kenny Schmitz hanging up a plaque dedicating the first floor board room to Dennis Butler, the county’s former finance director.
Butler served as the county finance director for 47 years, the county’s longest tenured employee, Board Chair Matthew Ung said.
“One thing Dennis never lost was his eagerness to work. It didn’t wane, it didn’t fade, and it didn’t even flicker. In the days before his passing, he mentioned to several coworkers that he wanted to get back to work, that he wanted to get the bills paid, that the jail needs to get open,” Ung said previously.
Butler had been known for his knowledge of the county’s finances, finding ways for the county to keep a flat tax for 10 years in a row.
A bronze plaque was placed outside of the room with Butler’s image and a small dedication.
Dennis Butler
Theresa, Dennis Butler’s wife posing for a photo with the plaque dedicating the first floor board room to the former finance director who died in August from cancer.
“A man of financial savvy and bountiful communication who turned challenges into opportunities,” according to the plaque. “Dennis showed effusive fidelity toward Woodbury County with his work for 47 years (1977-2024). We are forever grateful for the time we had with him, and for the legacy of long-term success that we forged together.”
The dedication ceremony on Tuesday was held with many county employees, family members and elected officials in attendance.
Ung spoke about Butler’s dedication to the job and the well-being of Woodbury County. He read a list of the 26 different supervisors Butler worked under during his time with the county.
George Boykin, who served as a supervisor from 1994 to 2014, said Butler was one of the most important officials in the county.
“He would always look after the county like his own,” he said. “I could always remember that whenever I needed Dennis, he was always here.”
Mark Monson, who served on the board from 2004 to 2016 and again in 2021, said his biggest memory was working through the budget with Butler.
Current supervisors echoed Monson and Boykin’s statements, sharing he was always available to answer questions and made sure the county kept the tax levy in check. They also shared personal stories about their time spent with Butler.
Dennis Butler
Dennis Butler
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