Butler city officials will not ask the state to determine the city's eligibility for financially distressed status, but the city will form a committee to provide financial advice.

It also will ask city workers to accept a pay freeze.

Councilman Joe Bratkovich's motion to request the state determine Butler's eligibility for Act 47 status failed for lack of a second at the city council meeting Thursday night.

Bratkovich reiterated his plan to write to each of the city's three employee unions, asking them to renegotiate terms; specifically, health insurance contributions and pay raises.

Bratkovich, with the support of council, will ask the unions to freeze wages for 2011, and to approve a 15 percent payment and a 15 percent buyback on health insurance.

In other action, the council approved the formation of a financial task force to look at the city's finances and make suggestions.

The measure was introduced by Councilwoman Kathy Kline.

She said she would like to see a committee with between five and seven members. She said she has a list of potential candidates, which would be approved by the city council.