A Butler police sergeant who was fired last year has been back on the city payroll since an arbitrator ordered his reinstatement with back pay on Jan 30.

City Council voted 3-2 to terminate 20-year department veteran Sgt. William Mayhugh one year ago for allegedly punching a prisoner in the Butler County Prison on Feb. 12, 2017.

Mayhugh filed a grievance through the police union, arguing that he acted within the scope of his authority. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger reviewed a video of the incident and determined criminal charges were not warranted.

Arbitrator William Miller heard both sides of the case in a hearing Oct. 9 in city hall and ruled Jan. 30 that the city did not have just cause to terminate Mayhugh, who has been working as a county deputy sheriff since September.

The back pay he will receive is still being calculated, but will be based on the salary he would have earned while he was fired, minus wages he received working for the sheriff’s office. The city and Mayhugh must agree on the amount.

Mayhugh and council members met in executive session during Tuesday’s council meeting.

He declined to comment on what transpired during the closed-door meeting.

Mayor Ben Smith said the meeting was about a personnel matter and there would be “no decisions forthcoming from the city.”

“The city decided to abide by the arbitration award,” solicitor Tom Breth said Wednesday.

He said city will give Mayhugh back pay for the time he was off the job.

Mayhugh is using vacation time and hasn’t returned to active duty, city officials said.

Police Chief Ron Brown couldn’t be reached for comment on when Mayhugh would return to duty.

Sheriff Mike Slupe said Mayhugh is still working full-time as a deputy. If he returns to working full-time for the city, he could still work as a deputy, but probably wouldn’t be able to continue working full-time.

“I don’t know what his plans are right now,” Slupe said.

Mayhugh couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.