By Steve Kemme
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HAMILTON - A late amendment to the state budget proposal this week nearly cost Butler County the fiber-optic network it invested $3 million in and six years of work in building.

Supported by utilities throughout the state, the amendment forbids counties from becoming commercially involved in telecommunications systems.

But Butler's state legislators, led by Rep. Gary Cates, R-West Chester, persuaded their colleagues to exempt Butler from the ban.

Butler County, in partnership with Cincinnati Bell, has built a 100-mile fiber-optic system designed to provide high-speed and high-quality transmission of video, audio and data.

Butler officials are committed to creating a fiber-optic network that eventually serves every home and business in the county.

They believe that by competing with private telecommunications companies, the county can drive customer rates down and recover its investment. Butler owns 25 percent of the fiber-optic system.

Commissioners Michael Fox and Courtney Combs said the county needs to continue being vigilant about the proposed telecommunications legislation as it moves to the Senate, and about any future telecommunications bills.

"This is just one battle in a series of battles," he said. "Utility companies want to protect their monopoly. We're trying to open up competition."

E-mail skemme@enquirer.com