BUTLER TWP — Butler will not host Fourth of July fireworks this year.

Mayor Tom Donaldson said Thursday night at a joint meeting between the city and Butler Township that the city cannot afford the $11,000 cost of a fireworks show.

“The city spent money on them that we didn’t have last year,” he said. “It wouldn’t be financially prudent to do that again.”

Councilwoman Kathy Kline said it was likely already too late for Zambelli Fireworks to even consider planning a fireworks display for this year.

Last year the city had fireworks at Kelly Automotive Park on July 4 while the Butler BlueSox baseball team had fireworks the following night at the park.

Donaldson at that time that he hoped the city and the club would team up in 2015 for one event.

The BlueSox’s website lists seven fireworks nights following games this summer, but none are during the week of July 4.

The club had eight fireworks nights last season.

City officials said they would request that the township consider making a donation to the fireworks in upcoming years if the city looks to host it again.

However, the mayor said a contribution from the township wouldn’t have saved the fireworks this year.

“Even if they went 50-50, we couldn’t do it,” Donaldson said.

Township Commissioner Dave Zarnick told the mayor to send a formal letter to the township for any donation request.