Fairfield city council delayed voting Monday on whether to pledge $85,000 to the struggling Butler County Regional Transit Authority.

        After Councilman Mark Scharringhausen raised some questions about the funding, Councilman Sterling Uhler agreed to postpone a vote until next week.

        Mr. Uhler said he couldn't get enough votes after councilmember Erick Cook left early and Mr. Scharringhausen said he wanted more details on how the system would provide service if Butler County commissioners do not allocate $1.1 million from a planned county sales tax increase.

        Commissioners recently rejected the transit authority's request for $250,000 in short term funding, but they have agreed to consider the $1.1 million allocation. In November, county voters re jected a sales tax increase to support the service.

        Mr. Scharringhausen said he wanted to make sure the transit authority would provide a viable service without the county money before he makes a decision.'

        “If it doesn't, I'm ready to shut the door on it,” he said.

        Amy Terango, BCRTA general manager, agreed to talk over a plan with city staffers and come back next week, when the issue will be voted on.

        She warned council that many people who depend on the service to get to work would lose their jobs if the service doesn't survive.

        “To not have an option for these people is devastating to them,” she said.

        The bus system, used daily by about 1,000 riders, is trying to avoid closing next year because of losses in state and federal funding.

        The transit system offers fixed bus routes in Hamilton, Middletown, Fairfield and Oxford and provides park-and-ride sites.

        It also has a contract with the county's Department of Job and Family Services to provide transportation to people moving from welfare to work.

        “Public transportation alleviates the barrier from keeping these people from being productive members of society,” Ms. Terango said. “We really are just kind of at your mercy.”

        Hamilton City Council approved $85,000 last month to help keep the bus system going. The money gives the transit system an extra 1 1/2 months to plan, and it allows county officials more time to de termine if they can provide long-term funding.

        Oxford and Middletown also are considering giving short-term money to the Transit Authority.

Mayor boots Rev. Lynch from race commission
Text of Lynch's response
Text of Black United Front letter
Israel bombing victim was student here
Parents seek help in sex case
How to protect your kids from sexual abuse
Ted Gregory visitation today
Unknown boy seen trailing Patty
Case tests college admission policies
'Equal funding' approved for city schools
Family finds biracial adoption a blessing
Meeting to consider county plan
Possible witnesses to shooting sought
Proposal cuts funds for biomedical research
PULFER: Tough talk about war, reputation
Sycamore day celebrates Kwanzaa fest
Congrats
Golfers on a roll as fall lingers
Good News: Program for kids in need
Local Digest
Mason-Montgomery to reopen
Two Miami students die in crash
New Lebanon council feels its way
Nonprofit to help farmers' business
Store relies on free labor
Testimony rebuts insanity plea
Fairfield waits on bus allocation
Kentucky Digest
New recreation sites entertained
Politician's re-election bid begins
Care program battles fund cuts
Frankfort woman delivers quintuplets
Horse, tobacco sales hit farm economy