Butler City Council tabled voting to introduce the 2020 budget on Thursday so officials can look into a decrease in the property value assessment of Ward 3 by about $6 million.

According to City Councilman Ken Bonus, Ward 3 primarily includes the city's Island neighborhood.

A vote on a $9.38 million budget, which does not raise the real estate tax rate of 43.25 mills, was tabled after council members said they learned on Monday or Tuesday that the Butler County Assessment Office reduced the assessed property value of Ward 3 to $10.8 million from the current value of just over $17 million.

If the assessment is correct, then it would mean a sharp drop in the amount of taxes collected by the city.

“The county said we lost a third of the assessed value of Ward 3,” Councilman Jeff Smith said. “I don't believe that's accurate.

Council continued Thursdays' meeting until 1 p.m. Monday, by which time they hope to learn from the county if a mistake was made in determining the assessed value.

Councilman Jeff Smith said he wasn't aware of any property assessment appeals that would have such a dramatic impact on the overall assessment. He said the county is investigating the matter.

“The county really threw us for a loop,” Councilman Mike Walter said, about the assessment's impact on preparing and adopting a budget.

Mayor Ben Smith agrees, and said he also believes an error was made in the assessment. He added that he would have voted against the budget because he didn't receive a copy of it until late Wednesday night and didn't have an opportunity to review it.

“In good conscious, I can't vote for it,” Ben Smith said.

A few other details about the budget were discussed.

Money for the summer swimming program was not included in the budget, according to Jeff Smith.

Bonus said he was glad to see the budget includes $350,000 for the Sullivan Run Flood Control project and $500,000 was allocated for paving streets.

Walter said the budget also includes $280,000 for storm sewer projects.

Council also tabled voting on the introduction of the salary ordinance, but approved the first reading of the tax ordinance.

In unrelated business, council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment adding the Ritts Historical and Architectural District to the zoning ordinance.

The district is being created to preserve the architectural design of the homes in the neighborhood, Jeff Smith said.

In September, council rezoned the 12-block district off North McKean Street to an R-1 zone for single-family homes.

However, the new district allows homes with existing apartments to keep those apartments.

Walter recommended delaying the vote until the planning commission issues a recommendation.

Jeff Smith said the commission will meet before council votes on the second and final reading of the amendment.

Walter said he would like a provision prohibiting council members and their immediate family members from serving on the district's Butler Architectural Advisory Board.

The five-member board would issue certificates that residents will need to make additions or other substantial changes to their homes.