Much was discussed, but no action on city finances was taken Thursday at the Butler City Council meeting.

Council members mulled over and debated ideas on how to generate revenue and to cut costs for the city’s 2016 budget.

However, most of the ideas, if acted upon, would not have an effect on the city until 2017.

“Everything we’ve been talking about is not going to do a doggone thing to help us the rest of the year,” said Mayor Tom Donaldson during the meeting at the city building.

The 2016 budget is close to $8.7 million, and while statistics were not available on how much had been spent so far this year, Councilman Michael Walter estimated that the city would run out of money by the middle of November.

After the meeting, Donaldson said that if the city runs out of money, it could either take out a state loan or a tax anticipation loan. He said neither was a good option.

“If you take the tax anticipation early for next year this year, you’re going to run out of money in October next year,” he said.