Butler County's new annex building may start filling up this week.

The occupancy permit for the county government annex was issued Monday, and the move-in of county employees could begin this week.

Joyce Ainsworth, human services director, said the non-Children and Youth Services human service departments in the government center will move in first, followed by CYS. Moving will occur over about two weeks.

Within three weeks, the building should be fully operational.

The four-story building will be accessible from the first floor of the government center via a skywalk, which is near the government center's elevators. The skywalk will empty out at a reception area on the third level of the annex.

“All flow will go through here,” Ainsworth said.

Also, the building is on-time and about $1.2 million below its $12 million budget.

“Way below budget,” said Ken Cramer of Thomas and Williamson, the project construction manager.

The 57,600-square-foot building primarily will be made up of human services offices. Currently, most of the county's human services offices are on the second floor of the government center, which is cramped.

“I think it's going to be a great morale booster,” said Ainsworth.