The City of Butler has instituted a hiring freeze until finances stabilize but officials say they will still be able to hire if a need arises.
“I’ll motion to implement a hiring freeze until the city’s finances stabilize,” Councilman Mike Walter said during Thursday’s Butler City Council meeting.
Walter amended his original motion to include the “need arises” condition after Mayor Tom Donaldson brought up the situation with the short-handed city police department.
Over 124 calls per month are handled per man at the city police department, officials say. Overtime costs are rising, while the ability of police to participate in activities like the County Drug Task-force is declining.
Butler City Deputy Chief David Adam spoke about the taxing situation that the police are in daily as they try to get the job done with fewer officers than are needed.
“My men’s safety is of grave concern to me,” Adam said. “I want them as safe as possible. I want the community as safe as possible.”
The city will begin a new round of civil service testing- which is the process needed before an officer is hired- but it is expected to take about five months before any new officers could be ready to be hired.
Written By: Ryan Saeler
The post City Passes Hiring Freeze appeared first on Inside Butler County – Butler, PA.
