The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler voted Thursday, Dec. 21, to apply for a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant to help the Butler Bureau of Fire buy a new fire engine.

The request is for more than $987,000.

“We applied last year, and there was so many applications in that we were not funded,” said Veronica Walker, acting executive director of the authority. “When the window was opened again, I questioned the fire chief, he said absolutely apply. We’ll just keep badgering them until we get the money for this new fire truck.”

According to Walker, the authority wouldn’t see money, if granted, until at least late next year, even if the authority is approved to receive the grant.

Brian McCafferty, chairman of the Redevelopment Authority, said the authority’s grant request was not approved last year, likely because there were so many other agencies applying for the same grant.

“It was phenomenal how many people were applying for that money,” McCafferty said. “It was like a drop in the ocean.”

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the authority approved its 2024 budget, with expenditures totaling about $266,900. Personnel services is the largest cost in the budget, totaling more than $177,000, and “other costs” followed totaling about $63,800.

The authority voted to accept a proposal for legal services from Dillon McCandless King Coulter and Graham for $195 per hour for 2024 through 2026. Additionally, the authority voted to hire Mark C. Turnley CPA for audit services for 2023 and 2024, for $6,000.