The City of Butler is in dire financial straits.
Newly-elected Butler City Councilman Mike Walter addressed the subject during a city council meeting Tuesday.
“Money is just being spent that we don’t have,” Walter said. “I don’t see where we can justify buying anything. I’m of the opinion if we need pencils, bring them from home. We don’t have the money.”
Walter is director of accounts and finance for the city. He pointed out the city finished last year with a deficit of $28,000 for the first time in recent memory. With several departments going over their projected budgets, Walter argued now is not the time to make unnecessary purchases.
Even with a $750,000 tax anticipation deposit in January, the city was almost not able to meet its financial obligations last week.
“We had to borrow from the parking fund to make payroll this month. If it wasn’t for that, if it was still the parking authority and we weren’t able to borrow from them, we wouldn’t make payroll this month. We can’t spend money we don’t have,” he said.
The city has plans to purchase two new police cars and a truck for the street’s department. Officials will consider alternatives at their meeting on Thursday.