BUTLER TWP — Township commissioners on Monday introduced a proposed $7.55 million budget that does not include a tax increase for 2021.

The commissioners voted unanimously to advertise the budget — which holds the real estate tax rate at 11.25 mills — and the real estate tax ordinance.

The budget, which has been changed since it was discussed at a Nov. 5 budget hearing, is $473,378 less than the 2020 budget, said Tom Knights, township manager.

At the hearing, officials noted an anticipated decline in revenue from business privilege taxes due to business closures and sales reductions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed budget projects business privilege tax revenue at $1.07 million, which is a sharp decline from the $1.21 million in revenue received this year.

The budget estimates revenue from all property taxes at $1.8 million, an increase over the $1.76 million received this year.

Major expenditures include $2.72 million for the police department, $546,426 for fire protection, $351,279 for operating the township administration building, $224,648 for the manager's office, $212,591 for the code enforcement office, $1.19 million for roads and $986,931 for insurance payments.

In unrelated business, the commissioners approved a resolution supporting the county commissioners' COVID-19 remediation initiative, which calls for residents to wear masks, exercise social distancing, wash hands and sanitize surfaces.

The commissioners also approved a land development plan for the Bash Family Practice to move from its current location on Moore Road to commercial property at 206 S. Duffy Road, where a house is currently located.

The medical office's parking lot will have 13 spaces, one more than the zoning ordinance requires, and an underground stormwater system that includes an underwater pump.