Robert A. Dandoy sworn in as Butler mayor; council appoints controller and health inspector

Robert A. Dandoy was sworn in as mayor of the City of Butler on Jan. 5, 2026, at a City Council reorganization meeting where the council also appointed Sarah N. Omstead as city controller and approved Patrick McGuire as the city's health inspector.

The oath of office for Mayor Dandoy, Councilwoman Lisa Quebedeaux and Councilman William Painter was administered by The Honorable Kevin P. O'Donnell, Magisterial District Judge 50-1-01. At the reorganization meeting that followed, Mayor Dandoy moved to appoint Sarah N. Omstead as City Controller for a term from Jan. 5, 2026, through Jan. 2028, citing —710802 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 11; Councilwoman Lisa Quebedeaux seconded the motion and the council recorded that "all voted aye." Judge O'Donnell then administered the oath to Controller Omstead.

The council recorded several organizational motions by unanimous vote. Councilman William Painter was assigned as Director of Accounts & Finance and Councilwoman Lisa Quebedeaux was assigned as Director of Public Safety & Bureau of Fire; both assignments were made by motion of Mayor Dandoy with seconds from Councilman Painter and recorded as passed. The council approved a slate of liaison appointments to local boards and commissions, including Lisa Quebedeaux and Troy Douthett to planning and zoning bodies and assignments tying Mayor Robert A. Dandoy to several civic and arts liaisons.

Council introduced City Ordinance No. 1839 for first reading, an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 1837 to fix wages and salaries of city employees in conformance with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The council also approved the retirement of the city's Health Inspector, Gary A. Bonelli, effective Jan. 1, 2026, after 19 years of service, and approved Patrick McGuire as the city's Health Inspector effective Jan. 1, 2026. All motions were recorded as passing with unanimous "aye" votes among members present; Councilman Dan Herr is recorded as having joined by telephone at the reorganization meeting.

In his inaugural address, Mayor Dandoy thanked city employees, volunteers, faith leaders and community partners and emphasized cooperation between the mayor's office and City Council. He identified challenges facing Butler—including aging infrastructure, economic change, housing, public safety and fiscal responsibility—and urged officials and residents to pursue "inclusive, sustainable" growth that benefits every neighborhood. "When we invest wisely, plan thoughtfully, and grow responsibly, every neighborhood benefits," Dandoy said, invoking a familiar phrase: "the rising tide raises all ships." He closed his remarks with a call to action: "Let's get to work."

An administrative announcement extended the deadline for City Code Chapter 212, Rental Occupancy Reporting, to the end of April 2026 because the city's new website was not live in time. The meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.; the minutes were submitted and signed by City Clerk Melinda F. Gall and Mayor Robert A. Dandoy.

Formal actions taken at the meeting included the controller appointment, director assignments, approval of liaison appointments, the introduction of Ordinance No. 1839 (first reading), acceptance of Health Inspector Gary A. Bonelli's retirement and appointment of Patrick McGuire as Health Inspector. Where the record shows unanimous action, the minutes state "all voted aye."