Butler Township commissioners approved the budget for 2019 with no tax increase.

Township commissioners unanimously approved the $8.025 million budget for 2019 with a real estate tax rate of 11.25 mills, the same as in 2018.

A mill generates $1 of income for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

“Christmas comes early for the residents of Butler Township,” Commissioner Dave Zarnick said. “The residents should be proud of the work the board puts into their budget.”

Commissioner Sam Zurzolo said the work done to pass the budget was easy this year thanks to a lot of effort from multiple parties.

“It was a successful budget,” Zurzolo said. “I personally want to thank everyone who was involved with it.”

The board also moved forward with hiring a public works director. The field of candidates has been narrowed to two people.

Township manager Tom Knights said the second interview will take place sometime this week. He said the position could be filled as early as January.

Not listed on the agenda, Zarnick brought another position to the attention of the commissioners, a part-time position for an employee who could perform fire inspections on buildings.

Knights said the inspections are performed mostly to local businesses, but also could include places like churches and day cares.

“Anybody that's open to the public,” Knights said.

The inspections are meant to assess fire and safety hazards in buildings.

Township zoning officer Jesse Hines said the inspections can cost as little as $30 as a base price, but larger businesses are on a different price structure.

“Larger businesses we use a square footage,” Hines said.

Knights said the position would be part-time, which would be capped at 30 hours per week, and a certification is required for performing the inspections. He said hiring an internal candidate who earns the certification is not out of the question.

“Hiring someone part-time status with part-time hours is very flexible,” Knights said.

He said the township will need someone to fill the role soon as the township begins to fall behind on inspections.

“Everyone is required to have an inspection annually,” Knights said. “We're trying not to let anybody fall behind more than a month.”