City Councilman Jeff Smith attended the Monday night meeting of the Butler Parks, Recreation, Grounds and Facilities Authority to suggest the 13-year-old authority be dissolved.

Smith told the authority that the city, which owns Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park, and the authority duplicate about $50,000 in expenses each year.

He said dissolving the authority and renaming it a commission would allow more money for expenditures at the ballpark and alleviate the financial struggles experienced by the authority during the off- season.

“The difference is with $40,000 to $50,000 in expenses gone, that could be (spent on) capital improvements and not just keeping the lights on,” Smith said.

He said the authority could not be dissolved as long as it has outstanding debt.

Smith said if city council agrees with his idea, the city could pay off the roughly $220,000 the authority still owes NexTier Bank using parking reserves.

He said it would be better to dissolve the authority now instead of at a time when the authority is facing a dire financial situation.

The commission, Smith said, would continue to operate the ballpark and come up with an annual budget, which would be approved by city council.

“If it's part of the city, it just makes life easier,” he said.

Smith said the idea is in its infancy, and he planned to discuss it with his fellow council members at Tuesday's meeting.

“I just want you guys to think about it,” he said.

Authority chairwoman Cheri Readie said the idea would be reviewed by authority solicitor Tom Breth, who did not attend the Monday night meeting.