Butler City Council agreed Tuesday to buy a new ladder truck for the fire department, but tabled voting on financing the purchase after questions arose.

Council members unanimously voted to buy a 2021 Pierce Arrow XT 100 mid-mount tower ladder truck for $1,293,814 from Glick Fire Equipment Co. of Zelienople through the COSTARS cooperative purchasing program.

A motion to accept a proposal from NexTier Bank to finance the purchase at a cost of $1,298,814 at an interest rate of 3.07% was tabled. The $5,000 increase in price is for the reflective striping and department decals and lettering.

The motion to buy the truck was amended to change the purchase price to $1,346,226 minus any available discounts upon the recommendation of solicitor Tom Breth after council members questioned the financing.

Fire Chief Chris Switala said the lower price included more than $50,000 in discounts from the manufacturer, but the city would have to make a $30,949 payment within 30 days and other payments at certain times to receive the discounts.

The full discounts are available until the end of the month. The amount of the discounts will decrease after this month, Switala said.

Councilman Mike Walter said the term of the loan from the bank was 16 years and the interest rate was guaranteed for 10 years.

He said a loan with a lower interest rate was available, but the interest rate would have been guaranteed for five years. He said interest rates are likely to increase within five years.

Officials questioned whether it would cost less to make the $30,949 payment and receive the discounts or pay the higher amount, which wouldn't require a payment until the truck is delivered in 10 to 12 months.

Switala said some of the other discounts would be available if council decided against accepting that discount.

The city hasn't had a working ladder truck since the last one, a 1998 model, was damaged while the department was fighting a fire in March 2017. The truck was not repaired because parts were unavailable for it. Council sold it for $20,001 in October 2018.

Officials said the city is planning to buy a new pumper truck in the next several years to replace a 16-year-old pumper.

In unrelated business, council approved a two-year contract and a one year option with Vogel Disposal for garbage and recycling collection, replacing current contractor Waste Management.

The initial contract runs from Jan. 1 through the end of 2023 and the option runs from Jan. 1, 2024 to the end of 2025.

The fee residents will pay and the total cost of the contract were not available Tuesday evening.

Officials said Vogel submitted the lowest bid and the fee in the first year is slightly less than the current fee.

Glass is not included in the materials that will be collected for recycling.

Another change is that large items will be collected with garbage once a month instead of weekly.

In other business, council approved applying for a $308,571 Community Development Block Grant.

The negotiation between council and the Butler Redevelopment Authority over the fee the authority receives from the grant to administer projects funded by the grant has not been resolved, Mayor Ben Smith said.

Council voted to allow the Butler County Veterans Services department to conduct a Veterans Day parade Nov. 11.

Council also voted to promote police Officer Cheryl Litz to sergeant effective Oct. 25.