By Nila Harris
At the regularly scheduled Butler city council meeting on Jan. 2, the mayor addressed the concern that several citizens have about lack of police presence. He expressed concern over “a slight uptick in the younger generation being mischievous in the city” and wanting to increase staffing. Investigation in possible grants may help with this issue. In addition, it was suggested to start budgeting money for this.
A letter will be going out to the public regarding a $2.50 processing fee that will be added to the water bill if the client chooses to pay by credit or debit card. The city must pay a monthly processing fee for this service. There has also been a concern about customers getting behind in payments and allowing late fees to add up. “A customer will now be allowed 30 days to make a payment in full along with late fees attached. If they do not make payments they will be shut off and the balance must be paid in full along with a reconnect fee before services are restored,” said the mayor. He expressed that times are hard but also feels that people should not be getting so far in debt to the city.
There will be a road maintenance repair schedule, and municipal road aid requests to be submitted. First road repairs will be on Main Street, then Matilda, followed by the 200 block of Peoples Street and Central Street. Repairs will be completed soon.
In a conversation about annexation, the mayor told the council that KLC and KaCo are starting meetings again about the process to show the benefits or non-benefits of annexation. The mayor would like to assure people that there are many advantages to annexation: increased access to police, making Butler more business friendly, reduced sewage rates, increased road maintenance, and the ability to have a stronger voice in issues affecting the city.
The mayor has been attending conferences and has been asked if employees at local businesses pay city taxes, and people are surprised to discover that Butler city employees do not pay city taxes. He is working with the city attorney to come up with a “cost-effective way to accomplish this but not burden the employees of the business or the business themselves.”
Police Chief Kenneth Hale reported 65 calls one auto accident, two vacation checks, and 30 business checks. He stated that the Butler parade went well, and the radio system was repaired. Falmouth Fire Chief Travis Reis reported two runs to the nursing home, and that the department received rope rescue equipment and grant money.
The mayor concluded that “My goal is to make Butler truly feel like a Bridge to Home."
Butler City Council meets the first Monday every month at Butler City Hall at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.