Butler City Council approved the purchase of the seventh new vehicle for the police department in the last two years.

Council accepted a bid of $33,327 to buy a 2020 Ford Interceptor SUV from Tri-State Motors through the COSTARS cooperative purchasing program and a bid from Ibis Tek Inc. to outfit the vehicle for police use.

Council members unanimously voted to accept both bids at Thursday evening's meeting.

Mayor Ben Smith said the SUV will become the new detectives' vehicle, replacing one that was in poor condition.

Councilman Mike Walter said the purchase represents the seventh new police vehicle purchased by the city in the last two years.

Money for the vehicle was allotted in this year's budget, Smith said.

Council establishes new guidelines

Council also approved new meeting agenda guidelines that say agendas will be disseminated to council members no later than 72 hours before each regular meeting.

Special meeting agendas will be disseminated as quickly as possible.

The guidelines also call for council to approve the agenda as the first order of business, and unanimous approval from council is needed to amend the agenda after it is approved.

Councilman Bob Dandoy said he proposed the guidelines to give council members time to read and think about complicated motions.

Walter suggested adding “new business” and “old business” sections to the agenda as a possible way to give council more time to discuss items before voting.

Solicitor Tom Breth said council could also add an “items to be discussed” section to allow council to hold discussions.

Other items

Council approved the retirement of Joseph Neigh, who has been the city's plumbing inspector for 16 years. His resignation takes effect April 5.

Officials said Derek Schick will handle residential plumbing inspections and an inspection company will handle commercial inspections after Neigh retires.

Council also agreed to pay the Butler Area Public Library the proceeds from the 2019 library tax of $31,490.