Butler City Council Thursday approved the purchase of three vehicles for the police department and approved an ordinance to borrow money to buy those and other vehicles.

Council members unanimously voted to accept an $83,781 bid from Day Ford to buy three 2018 Ford Explorer Interceptors for the police department and to advertise for bids to outfit the vehicles with emergency lights and other equipment.

A $22,119 price quote from Day Ford to buy a 2018 Ford Escape for the zoning and code enforcement office was also approved.

Councilman Michael Walter said he is preparing bid specifications for a new truck for the street department.

To pay for all of those vehicles council approved an ordinance to borrow $200,000 at an interest rate of 2.49 percent from NexTier Bank. Half of the loan will be repaid this year and the other half will be repaid next year.

Deputy Police Chief Dave Adam said the department is excited to get new vehicles.

“Our vehicles are falling apart,” he said.

In addition, council ratified a tentative two-year contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 114, which represents the city’s 14 full-time firefighters.

Council approved the collective bargaining agreement with the union at the April 26 council meeting. The agreement includes 0.25-percent pay raises this year and 0.50 percent raises next year.

The agreement approved Thursday states the effective date is April 27.

A three-year contract with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local 757/Council 84, which represents street and parks department and city hall employees, was on the agenda of Tuesday’s forum meeting, but did not appear on Thursday’s regular meeting agenda.

Mayor Ben Smith said council members wanted to discuss the proposed contract further and no changes were made to the contract.

“We want to make sure we’re all on the same page,” Smith said.

The union represents about 18 employees.

In other business, Butler City Council:

approved the first reading of an ordinance for an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Butler Township to share public works employees and equipment.

Township commissioners approved the first reading of the township’s version of the ordinance Monday.

agreed to award a $15,180 contract to Gargiulo Landscape to restore the brick on a portion of Oak Street.

Councilman Kenny Bonus said the work will fix the part of the road that residents petitioned council to repair last year.

presented a Butler Neighborhood Pride Award to Paul and Sherrie Frenchak, of 810 Wood St, for the appearance of their home.

Bonus said the award is meant to show council’s appreciation for residents who take pride in who their homes look and encourage all residents to beautify their properties.