Butler’s mayor has dropped his lawsuit against the city and three council members who voted for a promotion given to firefighters.
“This was a financial decision, for the good of my personal finances and for the good of the finances of our city,” Mayor Tom Donaldson said at the end of Thursday’s Butler City Council meeting. “I am certain the promotions are against the rules this city has set in place to comply with changes required by the state changes in civil service rules.”
Donaldson filed suit in December against council members Mike Walter, Kathy Kline and Corey Roche after their votes resulted in the city approving promotions for firefighters who did not take a civil service test.
The council members named in the suit said they were glad to move on and claimed that their decision was rooted in the state and federal constitution.
“Unless we wanted to violate federal law, we had to give them the promotions,” Councilman Mike Walter said Thursday. “The lawsuit, as far as I’m concerned, was just a frivolous lawsuit.”
Over $3,600 was spent by the city on a legal defense for the council members. Donaldson said he spent about $5,300 of his own money on legal expenses and is considering requesting reimbursement from the city. Donaldson also said he reserves the right to refile the suit if he deems it appropriate.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
