A motion will be made at Thursday’s council meeting that the city of Butler institute a hiring freeze.

The freeze, which was brought up by Councilman Michael Walter at Tuesday’s meeting at the city building, would mean Butler would hire no one else for the rest of 2016. It would include all city jobs.

The motion would need to pass at least by a 3-2 council majority.

The freeze was suggested as a way to save money so the city doesn’t run out of cash before the end of the year. After the council’s meeting to discuss finances on July 14, Walter estimated that the city will run out of money by mid-November.

“Once we get a handle on this we can change (it),” Walter said.

If passed, the freeze would not affect hirings already up for motion by council, nor would it affect appointing a fifth council member once Richard Schontz resigns Friday.

Mayor Tom Donaldson spoke on the potential action.

“That’s going to endanger my police, but we’ve got money problems in the city,” he said. “We have to start somewhere.

“It’s the peak of the vacation season and the (officers) are working short-handed.”

Deputy Police Chief David Adam said he understands why the city would pass the motion, but said it would have a negative effect.

“The city has to do what the city has to do,” he said. “It’s going to hurt the police department.”

Schontz spoke in favor of a freeze, as long as doesn’t hurt public safety.

“I can see where it’s a necessary situation, and we need to hold our costs so that we do have enough money for the end of the year,” he said. “We need to look and make sure that we’re staffed so that everybody’s individual responsibilities (are met), we can do those in a safe environment. If we can do that, have a hiring freeze, sure.”

Councilman Corey Roche shared his sentiment.

“I agree we need to take some type of action, but we can’t jeopardize public safety,” he said. “It’s going to be a fine line we’re going to have to walk.”

Councilwoman Kathy Kline was absent.