In preliminary budget plans, Butler Township is looking at another year without a tax increase.

The township commissioners went through proposed capital spending for next year’s fiscal budget Thursday night. While various departments aren’t presenting any proposed staffing changes until next week, Tom Knights, township manager, said the general fund is balanced in the tentative plan.

“Right now, the general fund balance in front of you is balanced today,” Knights said, “even though the real estate tax as a whole doesn’t cover what the real estate tax is supposed to. Our other funding sources make up the shortfall. It’s good food for thought when looking at how these real estate taxes stack up.”

The total preliminary budget is $8,025,561. The budget increased $183,200 over last year’s budget. Commissioners want to maintain the 11.25 millage rate.

A mill generates $1 in revenue for each $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.

Department heads and Knights went through each department’s line items. Most were unchanged from last year or only moderately increased or decreased.

“It’s disappointing we spend all this time and we don’t have one resident here, but change the trick-or-treat date or times and we’ll have 40 phone calls,” said Dave Zarnick, the board president. “I don’t think our residents really understand the time and effort and work that goes into maintaining this township.”

Jesse Hines, zoning officer, walked commissioners through spending related to fire safety. The township’s contributions to the Butler Township Fire District increases by 3 percent every budget cycle, he explained. Such an increase this year would bring the township’s financial contribution to about $369,000.

In his closing summations of the night’s process, Knights said such an increase won’t be sustainable in coming years.

“I think what we could and should look at, is being a little bit more creative with how we support the fire department other than just cutting a big check,” Knights said. “We can’t sustain the 3 percent.”

Several departments left room in their budgets for fuel costs, as gasoline prices are difficult to predict. Police Chief John Hays estimated that his department has used about 16,000 gallons this year.

A phone systems upgrade is being considered for the township’s administrative buildings. The current system, Knights explained, is a mishmash of previous systems that were combined over the years. Incoming calls can’t be transferred to certain departments, preventing secretaries from sending calls to the police department, for instance. Knights listed the communications upgrade in a list of line items costing between $10,000 and $12,000.

The board hopes to have a finalized budget by Nov. 15, which can then be published and entered into the public hearing process for final approval.