Butler City Council will vote on budget revisions, raising the street light tax back to last year’s rate and lowering non-union employee salaries to last year’s levels at its regular meeting Thursday.

Council discussed the changes to the budget, tax and salary ordinances at Tuesday’s forum meeting.

Councilman Michael Walter, director of accounts and finance, said he would vote against raising the street light tax because it would take a year to form a plan to replace or repair street lights, and he said the tax can be raised next year after a plan is in place.

The 2018 tax ordinance reduced the street light tax by 1 mill to 2.25 mills.

He said the $54,000 surplus in the street light fund, which must be spent this year, is enough to develop the plan.

Mindy Gall, city clerk, said the surplus is likely to increase because the city hasn’t yet received the credits on the current electric bill for using less electricity due to the installation of LED lights.

Citing a report about the condition of the street light poles, Councilman Kenny Bonus said public safety is an issue with the current lights.

A full story appears the Butler Eagle.