Butler may look to fill its now-vacant police desk with a new clerk.

Mayor Tom Donaldson said at a city council meeting Wednesday that he would be interested in adding a police clerk to the department to help handle filing responsibilities and to speak with residents who walk into the station during the day.

“It could be in our best interest to create a clerk and data entry position,” he said.

The city previously had officers working as desk sergeants around the clock, handling both walk-ins and dispatching duties.

However, council voted to move the desk sergeants to patrol the streets, handing over dispatching duties to Butler County Emergency Services.

The switch was made Monday morning.

Donaldson said the proposed clerk position only would be approved with permission by the Fraternal Order of Police union representing city officers.

“We don’t want to cause a grievance,” he said.

Councilwoman Kathy Kline said she was not against the idea, but said she wanted to review the position to make sure there would be room for it in the budget.

Donaldson said the department still has unspent money for part-time officer positions that could be used for the position.

Council said the position could be filled by promoting the parking ticket clerk already in the station to a new combined role to help eliminate additional costs of hiring another employee.

Police Chief Ron Brown said a clerk would help the department during the day.

“It would help with walk-ins,” he said. “It’s something that needs attention.”

The station remains open during business hours and higher-ranked officers are often at the station during the day.

However, there is no one specifically at the front desk to speak with residents.

“Right now there’s no one there to answer questions,” Brown said. “The door (to the station) probably should be locked.”