Harmony business owners Seth Murphy, left, and Josh Meeder, right, wade through floodwaters on Mercer Street in Harmony last year. Harmony borough council on Tuesday night decided to join other municipalities in a stormwater management study.

HARMONY — Members of borough council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement that outlines plans to hire a new director of stormwater management at a meeting on Tuesday, March 4.

The Southwestern Butler Council of Governments — which consists of Harmony, Zelienople, and Jackson and Lancaster townships — previously established the position that will serve as the Southwest Butler Stormwater Authority director and a Harmony Fire District administrator.

Each of the four municipalities, along with the authority itself, will pay annual funding contributions based on millage rates. Those funds will be put toward wages and fringe benefits.

Harmony’s yearly contribution will be $2,925. The borough is the second municipality to approve its contribution after Jackson Township, which will contribute $30,420. That’s the second highest contribution behind the authority itself, which will pay $31,500.

According to the official agreement, the total annual contribution will be paid in two equal installments, with the first installment due on or before Jan. 15 and the second and final installment being due on or before June 15 of each calendar year.

Zelienople and Lancaster Township are both expected to approve the agreement at meetings later this month, according to Jackson Township manager Chris Rearick.

Lancaster Township is set to contribute $14,625, while Zelienople will provide $10,530, according to the official agreement.

Contributions will be determined on an annual basis by the council of governments and will not increase by more than 5% per year.

Southwestern Butler Council of Governments received more than 70 applications for the new position.

Rearick and Lancaster Township manager Mary Hess conducted interviews and eventually narrowed that down to three applicants.

While members of the council of governments have decided on a candidate, Rearick said they will not release the name of the individual until all municipalities have approved the agreement.