One didn’t always have to agree with former Butler City Councilman Joseph J. Bratko-vich to realize his passion and dedication to the city’s well-being.

Bratkovich, who died Wednesday at age 64, will be remembered as a public servant committed to getting the city’s struggling fiscal situation resolved.

If Bratkovich had one regret from the 16 years he served on the council — he did not seek re-election in 2011 — it was that the city never regained the financial stability that he so vigorously sought.

Bratkovich was someone who was good for Butler City government and the city as a whole. His belief in the structure of government, even when he disagreed with the way issues were being pursued, made him a valuable player in the governmental mix of ideas and personalities.

He also was willing to take a risk on the city’s behalf, as when on at least two occasions he proposed asking the state if Butler would be eligible for financially distressed status, which would have provided additional financial resources and options for city leaders.

Both times the council rejected the proposal, and the city’s financial future remains uncertain, with the threat of eventual bankruptcy still looming like a vulture looking down upon its prey.

Amid all that, Bratkovich continued to preach fiscal responsibility with the money options that were available. Even more so, he understood the challenges city residents endured as a result of higher taxes.

That’s why he voted against a budget he authored in 2011, because he believed the tax changes and loans it contained — although needed — would burden residents.

More municipal and school officials should embrace such an attitude.

Mayor Maggie Stock’s recollections regarding Bratkovich mirrored the opinions of others about the former municipal leader.

“Joe didn’t talk about what he did; he just went out and did it,” Stock said. “If everybody did as much as he did, everything would be done.”

Whatever the disagreements that might have come and gone, Bratkovich demonstrated respect for his colleagues and those who had issues with the way the city government was handling certain matters.

Unlike officials of some municipalities who project the attitude that they’re always right, Bratkovich listened to and respected the opinions of others while at the same time trying to build support for the way he feltproblems and concerns should be addressed.

“He was dedicated to the betterment of the community,” said Lori Hinderliter, administrator of the Butler County Federated Library System.

In addition to working hard on the city government’s behalf, Bratkovich was dedicated to the well-being of libraries and the library system.

Other agencies were beneficiaries of Bratkovich’s strong sense of community service as well, including the Butler Area Sewer Authority, Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler, United Way of Butler County, the Community Development Corporation of Butler County and the Butler Transit Authority.

At one point Bratkovich revealed the motivation behind that service.

“I set the bar very high for myself,” he said.

Leaders of the future should look back on his years of service as an example of how they too might help the city.