FAIRFIELD - The debate is heating up in this Butler County city over whether to build a $9.6 million community center, or to expand a crowded justice center or even build a new one.

        While most Fairfield City Council members push to build the community center as soon as possible, three councilmen want to wait until after November's election. They warn that a referendum effort could be launched by residents if they don't.

        Fairfield officials have been planning a 45,000-square-foot brick community center. They even have purchased land for it in the new downtown, Village Green.

        But they also must either expand the Fairfield Justice Center or build a new one for $12.3 million. The city's justice center on Ohio 4 has become crowded and outdated.

        The city can't pay for both projects at the same time - at least not without an income tax reallocation that goes before voters in November. If that fails, they must choose which project to do first.

        Four out of seven council members want to pursue the community center first. But three say wait until after the election - and at least one says the justice center should be the priority for practical purposes.

        To build a community center first is unfair to police and court workers, Councilman Ron D'Epifanio said.

        For instance, 45 male officers must share a single toilet and police must interview citizens in the parking lot to ensure privacy. The municipal court needs more space and the police agency's cramped quarters “will increasingly hamper the Department's ability to provide police services needed,” reads a recent report to council.

        “It's like we are saying to our employees, "Hey, we're going to build a community center and try to work you in after about 10 years,' ” Mr. D'Epifanio said. “I don't know that we need a place where Aunt Tilly can go to make clay pots to take precedence.”

        Mr. D'Epifanio cautioned that a grass-roots effort is under way to launch a petition drive for a referendum to overturn a City Council decision that would build the community center first.

        The matter comes back up for vote under emergency ordinance at today's 7 p.m. meeting. Council will vote whether to spend $910,000 for design and other plans on the center.

        But tonight's vote could fall flat, as it did at the last council meeting, in July. A super-majority , five of the seven, must pass an emergency ordinance. When three members objected last month, the item failed.

        Community center supporters insist the facility already has been established as the city's priority.

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