By Nila Harris
BUTLER — City Council announced that there will be a 3% rate increase for water and sewage within the city, and a 25% rate increase for sewage for residential and commercial businesses from Highway 27 into Butler.
Also announced during council’s regular meeting June 3 was that Butler Fireworks will be held on July 5, with events leading up to it beginning at 5:30 p.m.
It was reported that the Memorial Day Parade had a good turnout with several emergency vehicles participating, along with Pendleton High School’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps.
The second round of water meter readings has taken place. Currently, this is done manually, but the city received a grant through the Cleaner Water Act which will entail the use of radio meter readings on tablets to help eliminate human error.
The city workers will receive software and training for this program in the fall.
The city workers will remove the old playground equipment and install the new equipment sometime after school is back in session so that there is no down time when the park must be closed.
Council passed a municipal road agreement resolution that will allow the city to get funds from the state for road repair.
The mayor has been reaching out to blacktopping companies for quotes to blacktop some of the Butler streets once the municipal road money comes in.
Council approved the purchase of samplers for the sewage treatment plant at a cost of $11,955. This will end up saving the city money because they currently must send out samplers at a cost of $270 a week.
The second reading of the budget ordinance was approved. This will be put into place July 1.
Representative Mark Hart was present to inform the group about legislative updates and current bills.
A meeting will be held June 26 at Pendleton County Fiscal Court Judge Executive David Fields’ office regarding the Route 177 bypass to Kenton County. Local officials will be meeting to discuss economic implications and timeline.
The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. July 1 at the city building.