BUTLER TWP — With a balanced budget and no tax increase expected, some of Butler Township’s departments are able to request equipment upgrades.

The Butler Township Board of Commissioners, alongside township officials, gathered Thursday, Nov. 13, to hold a workshop meeting regarding the municipal budget for 2026.

No tax increase is currently expected and township officials signaled they do not plan to collect per capita taxes once again.

The total revenue and expenditures for 2026 is currently estimated to be just under $16,900,000, representing a 20% decrease from last year’s budget, township manager Tom Knights explained.

He said the reason for the sharp decline compared to last year’s budget was due to high project costs associated with the Pullman Recreation Complex.

During the meeting, each department head presented a list of updated line items they are requesting from the commissioners. While some departments, like zoning, remained fairly consistent, others looked to make some major updates.

The biggest request came for capital construction costs at just over $5 million.

“We’ve got a support building developed along the newest large field, potentially another small restroom building down there and a parking lot,” Knights told commissioners.

Butler Township Police Chief Brian Barnhart presented a request for the department’s Tasers to be replaced, as they have reached the end of their life.

“If we try to send (Tasers) in for repairs, they will not do it. So, they’re recommending us to move up,” Barnhart explained to the board.

Barnhart said the cost for the Tasers — about $65,000 total — will be paid out across a five-year period.

While director of public works Dave Meeder was absent, Knights presented his list of requests which included over $270,000 in new equipment expenses.

“Both of these were visions for the roads department and public works even back when I was in that department,” Knights said. “The idea was to always have a second mini excavator that was hauled by the trailer we already have. Then you can split your crews and be able to accomplish two jobs.”

While the excavator would cost around $95,000, another $175,000 or so would go toward the purchase of a Freightliner dump truck as the township’s current fleet is outdated. Knights said there is a possibility that the truck is not purchased until 2027 due to chassis taking several months to procure.

Now that commissioners had the opportunity to discuss the budget and departmental requests, the board is expected to vote on the preliminary budget at an upcoming meeting.