Butler City Council approved the city's 2022 budget, which does not include a tax increase.

The total budget's general fund sits at around $10.5 million. Included in the budget proposal were the salaries and wages of city employees, which Mayor Ben Smith said at a previous meeting gives appointed officials, such as the city clerk and code official, an average raise of about 3.5%.

The budget includes a $5 increase for permit parking in the city, which will bring the monthly price to $70, according to a news release from the city. According to the news release, “the increase is needed to continue to keep the streets, lots and garages safe, well-maintained and free of ice and snow.” The parking system has increased the price three times over the past two decades, the release said.

Council also adopted a five-year hazardous mitigation plan. The mayor said the adoption of the county's plan is more efficient and effective than having the city create its own hazardous mitigation plan.

“If we sign onto the county's plan, we don't have to develop our own,” Smith said. “It will save the city a lot of time and money, and frankly, it's a good plan.”

Butler Bureau of Fire Chief Chris Switala said the five-year plan was supposed to be completed in 2021, but the state extended the deadline because of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan now includes language regarding pandemic response, he said.

“The only thing that was significantly added to it was about pandemic response,” Switala said.

Tuesday's meeting was the last for Council members Jeff Smith and Ken Bonus and Mayor Smith.

Council's next meeting will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 3, during which current Councilman Bob Dandoy will be sworn in as mayor, and the newly elected Larry Christy and Donald Shearer will be sworn in as councilmen.