Butler City Council agreed Tuesday to advertise for a lease for a new ladder truck for the fire department.

Council members unanimously voted to advertise for a 15-year municipal lease with a financing option for a 2012 Pierce Arrow XT with a 100-foot mid-mounted tower ladder with a total purchase price of $1.29 million.

The lease will have a nonappropriation clause with the first payment deferred up to 12 months due in 2021.

Councilman Bob Dandoy said the lease and financing proposals will allow council to consider financing options.

Councilman Mike Walter pointed out that the city can't make lease payments through the debt service fund, but the fund can be used if the truck is purchased through traditional financing. The payments would come from the budget regardless of how it is paid for.

Fire Chief Chris Switala said the city would own the truck at the end of the lease period and would receive a discounted interest rate of less than 3%.

The nonappropriation clause makes the lease annually renewable, meaning the city can “walk away” from the purchase if it doesn't allocate a payment, he said.

The city hasn't had a working ladder truck since the last one, a 1998 model, was damaged while the department was fighting a fire in March 2017. The truck was not repaired because parts were unavailable for it. Council sold it for $20,001 in October 2018.

In unrelated business, council approved a contract with turnKey Taxes of Pittsburgh to collect delinquent earned income, business privilege and per capita taxes.

A company representative told council that it has increased tax collections by at least 26 percent for its municipal clients.

TurnKey's fee is 10% of the money it collects.

In other business, council agreed to buy up to four computer tablets at a cost not to exceed $2,000 to help residents fill out census forms.

Council agreed to let the Center for Community Resources use the Miller shelter in Butler Memorial Park Oct. 6 for its annual Bundle Up Butler event in which it distributes free coats to children.

Council agreed to allow the Salvation Army to use the Farmers Market Sept. 13 for a dinner after its annual Ride for the Red Shield fundraising motorcycle ride.

Council also agreed to let Butler Downtown use the fourth floor of the Centre City parking garage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 for a Witches Day Out Halloween costume contest for women. The third floor will be used if it rains.