Ben Smith was sworn in as the new mayor of Butler at the City Council reorganization meeting Tuesday.

Jeff Smith was sworn in as a new City Council member and incumbent Kenny Bonus, who was re-elected last year, was sworn in as well.

“We’re all excited to lead the city,” Ben Smith said. “I’m excited to help the city move forward.”

Magisterial District Judge William Fullerton administered the oath of office to the three, along with incumbent Controller Gretchen Ehlman, who was re-elected last November.

Several business items, including reopening the 2018 budget and discussing the street light tax, were on the agenda for the city’s first meeting of the year.

Ben Smith said there are some things in the budget he wants to look at, but he did not specify those items on Tuesday.

He said it is important to reopen the budget, even if no changes are made, as a public sign that the new council supports the document.

Any changes to the budget ordinance would have to be approved by council at two meetings, officials said.

Jeff Smith said he wants to reopen discussion about the city’s street light tax.

This year’s budget includes a 1 mill reduction in the millage used for street lighting, to 2.25 mills from the prior rate of 3.25 mills.

Old street lights were removed from Main Street some time ago, but the “stumps” from those lights were left in place, he said.

Walter said those lights and the flower pot containers attached to the light posts are in storage. Reinstalling them would require new posts and could be done through a public-private partnership, he said.

No action was taken Tuesday on the budget or the street light tax.

In addition, council approved an agreement allowing Hari Hotels LLC, the new owner of the Marriott Springhill Suites on Jefferson Street, to use the adjacent parking garage.

Council tabled a vote to allow the Neighborhood Drug Watch program to meet in the Public Safety Building once in January and again in March.

Jeff Smith said he is not opposed to the drug watch group, but suggested tabling the motion because the group is not affiliated with the city. He said there should be a policy for outside organizations to use the building.

Walter said liability could be an issue and agreed that a policy is needed.

Council also is accepting letters of interest from residents who want to serve a five-year term on the parks, recreation grounds and facilities authority to replace Councilman Corey Roche, whose term is expiring.

Ben Smith’s wife, Emily, their two young children, Egan and Murphy, his mother-in-law, Jaci Reefer, his sister, Ashley Farster, and her husband, Nathan, and his parents, Robbi and John Smith, attended and watched him conduct his first council meeting.

The first item of business was assigning council members to departments.

Ben Smith appointed himself as director of public affairs and the police department.

Councilman Michael Walter was reappointed as accounts and finance department director, Jeff Smith was appointed parks and public property director, Roche was appointed public safety and fire department director, and Bonus was reappointed as streets and public improvements director.

Liaison appointments were also made.

Ben Smith was appointed liaison to the Butler Redevelopment Authority, planning and zoning commission, zoning hearing board and code management appeals board.

Walter was appointed liaison to the Butler Area Sewer Authority, the Butler County and city Connoquenessing Creek Flood Control Authority, pension investment advisory board and the bicycle advisory commission.

Jeff Smith was appointed liaison to the shade tree commission; parks, recreation grounds and facilities authority and the Butler Area Multi-municipal Plan oversight committee.

Bonus was appointed liaison to the Butler Township-City Joint Municipal Transit Authority.

Roche was appointed liaison to the Butler Area Public Library.