HAMILTON — The Butler County commissioners refused Monday to provide $250,000 to buy more time for the county's imperiled public transit system.

        “The county does not have $250,000,” Commissioner Mike Fox said.

        Instead, he said, the Butler County Regional Transit Authority should ask for money from Hamilton, Fairfield and Oxford, the three communities that benefit the most.

        The Transit Authority Board plans to decide Wednesday whether to begin shutting down the system because of a lack of money.

        The financial crisis stems from voters' Nov. 6 defeat of a quarter-cent county sales tax increase for public transit. Voters rejected the same proposal in May, causing the Dial-A-Ride program to be eliminated.

        The Transit Authority says it needs an additional $2.8 million to operate its existing fixed routes and a restored Dial-A-Ride program next year. Otherwise, fixed-route service will end Jan. 1, and the whole system will shut down July 1.

        The Transit Authority is hoping the commissioners allocate $2.8 million from a sales tax increase planned this year.

        An infusion of $250,000 into the public transit system would allow it to operate for two months. The commissioners would know by then whether their sales tax increase would be subject to a referendum challenge.

        Amy Terango, general manager of the Transit Authority, said the agency's board could postpone a shutdown decision to allow time to appeal to Hamilton, Fairfield and Oxford for the $250,000.

        The elimination of the fixed routes could cost Butler $8 million in federal funding for public transit over the next four years. Of that money, $3 million would be for building a transportation hub in Hamilton and an additional $1 million for expanding the Transit Authority's facility in Hamilton.

        “Hamilton has the biggest stake in this,” Mr. Fox said. “Hamilton is the primary beneficiary. It's amazing to me that City Council would lay all this at our doorstep.”

        Hamilton City Councilman Richard Holzberger, who's a member of the Transit Authority Board, said he will ask the city to give the Transit Authority $100,000 so that the fixed routes continue through the winter.

        He said Hamilton officials don't expect the county to pay the whole cost of the transit system.

        “But I do expect the county to pay some of the cost,” Mr. Holzberger said. “The county wanted the countywide bus system, not Hamilton.”

Deaths of 3 young men stun Mason
Madeira student badly hurt, but home
Paraplegic driver unable to brake
Safety a factor for some UC no-shows
New center takes shape at Xavier
KKK does not ask for cross permit
Rehabs may get new rules
Two shootings leave 1 dead, another hurt
CPS adds fund-distribution option
Police monitors choose new leader
Soldier gets overdue honors
D. DeLotell was bowling columnist
Good News: Cleanup champs honored
Local Digest
More money sought for home care
One turkey of a front yard
Site chosen for 2 schools
Butler un-caps payroll
Butler won't give money for buses
Congrats
Cutbacks might limit Butler jail
Judge cites race in change of sentences
Bush to visit Fort Campbell
Chamber to honor creators of thousands of local jobs
CROWLEY: Dem Hughes shows GOP's Murgatroyd the money
Newport police reaccredited
'Survivor' on the stump
Teens lucky wreck in Ky.
Woman dies in I-75 crash
Aerial GIS mapping aids N.Ky. development
Attempt to study hemp gets held up
Kentucky Digest
Official faces murder charge
Ruling on tax breaks awaited
Schools may get tab on tests
State balks at paying for more rescores
To settle suit, pick a mediator