Butler County is not endorsing First Energy Solutions as a utility provider — a misconception spreading among consumers this week after the electric company mailed advertising to residences.

The mailing included a letter signed by the county commissioners and company literature incorporating the county crest.

Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the county is not telling consumers which company they should use.

“It’s not meant to be an endorsement by the county,” McCarrier said.

Earlier this year, the commissioners only agreed to provide the company with names of residents.

However, the packet First Energy sent out included the letter signed by the commissioners with county letterhead.

Grainy versions of the county crest and commissioners’ signatures appear to be photocopied onto the letter instead of being actual county stationery.

McCarrier confirmed he and the other commissioners signed the letter, but it was generated by the company, not the county.

“They wrote it and we signed it,” he said.

The letter states residents can save money by switching to First Energy.

Diane Francis, First Energy spokesman, said for every new customer, the county and the respective municipality each receive $5 from the company.

McCarrier stressed the county did not pay for the company’s advertising.

“We did not spend a dime on it,” he said.

Along with an application form including the county crest, a color pamphlet displayed the symbol on two pages. The envelope listed the county in the return address position in the upper left corner. However, First Energy sent the mailing.

“The county was delivering the message,” said Francis when asked why the county was listed in the return address slot.

Francis also said First Energy received permission from the county to use the crest.

“We worked in conjunction with the county,” she said.

McCarrier said the county gave the company permission to use the symbol.

“First Energy did nothing wrong,” he said.

The county on Tuesday received complaints from people viewing the packet as an endorsement.

McCarrier said he understood how people may be confused by the mailing.

Despite people believing the packet was misleading, McCarrier said there was a benefit: residents learned they have alternatives for electricity providers.

He said residents are telling him they didn’t realize they could get lower rates from providers.

Commissioner Dale Pinkerton said that was the result the county wanted.

“We were just trying to help people get a better rate,” Pinkerton said.

Commissioner Jim Eckstein was unavailable for comment.