As reported in the Friday, Jan. 31, edition of the Butler Eagle, city council accepted a draft plan for usage of funds from the sale of the Butler Area Sewer Authority.

At the time, Mayor Bob Dandoy made special note that the draft was accepted, rather than approved. An important distinction allowing flexibility and opportunity for future changes more easily than an accepted final plan with spending set in stone would allow.

The draft, in it’s current form, allocates the lion’s share of the $90 million in the hands of the city to be set back, with $50 million being placed in a trust through PNC Bank and $25 million being placed in an investment account with NexTier Bank.

Only the remaining $15 million is actually spoken for in the draft plan, and only being an accepted draft — not an approved plan with allocated funds — leaves room for council to adjust to future needs and circumstances.

Spending plans for the coming year included in the plan encompass $2.85 million. In the following four years outlined in the plan, which currently only proposes spending for five years, $2.5 million in 2026, $3.1 million in 2027, $1.75 million in 2028 and $1.5 million in 2029, respectively. The remainder of the $15 million is slated for one-time expenses or put back as additional investments to be accessed as needed.

There’s no telling what the future may bring. Changes in economic conditions, population and unforeseen one-time expenses can all strike the city at any time. Responsible stewardship of a windfall of public funds, rather than a rush to expend those funds right now is the correct course to take.

Regardless of opinions on any individual planned use of the funds, the city is right to leave its options open and keep the bulk of funds money in the reserve for the future.

— JP