BUTLER TWP — Butler Township commissioners Monday introduced an ordinance that would provide earned income tax credits of up to $250 to volunteer firefighters.

The commissioners scheduled a hearing on the Volunteer Service Credit Program ordinance for June 18.

Pennsylvania law creating the tax credit program allows municipalities to offer credits toward income or real estate taxes, said Ed Kirkwood, township manager.

Offering property tax credits would be more difficult because it would involve working with the Butler County tax assessment office, he said.

Berkheimer Tax Administrator Inc., the township income tax collector, has provisions in place to issue the tax credit refunds and notify the township about the credits awarded, Kirkwood said.

The intention of the ordinance is to offer credits to active firefighters so Kirkwood said officials will meet with the chiefs of the three fire departments to establish criteria that firefighters must meet to qualify.

He said the criteria includes the number of calls firefighters respond to, training level and the amount of time spent performing administrative work, fundraising and maintaining equipment.

The statute does not allow credits to be offered to fire department auxiliary members even though they spend a lot of time raising money, he said.

In other business, Kirkwood announced that he is retiring after more than 10 years on the job to “travel, relax and enjoy my family.”

He said his last work day will be July 20 and his last day of employment will be Sept. 14.

Dave Zarnick, president of the board of commissioners, said the commissioners will review the manager’s job description.

Kirkwood said the description hasn’t changed during his tenure and he would distribute copies to the commissioners today.

If he receives the revisions the commissioners want to make by Friday, he can advertise the job next week.

He said he would assist with the hiring process.

“I’m not going to leave the township high and dry,” Kirkwood said.

He said if the commissioners make June 15 the deadline for applications, the commissioners can hire someone at the July meeting.