It's already clear that a southeastern Butler County regional police department like that envisioned by a state study isn't going to happen — at least not anytime soon. The municipal financial obligations estimated in the study are, in most instances, too prohibitive, according to municipal officials.

But officials who have been exploring the regional police concept for their area are right in their opinion that the study need not be the end of the proposal. As Saxonburg Mayor Brian Antoszyk indicated, the study is but a starting point; it's not the final word.

That's the right attitude.

It is the state's estimate — the view of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services, which conducted the study — that more than 20 full-time officers would be needed to staff the proposed department and that the initial cost of setting up the regional operation would be more than $2.5 million.

Antoszyk put the issue in proper perspective when he said, "We don't need to start with a Cadillac. We could start with a Volkswagen."

He was referring to thinking that the regional department would not initially need all full-time officers, which also was expressed by others, including Buffalo Township Supervisor Dan Przybylek.

Przybylek suggested splitting the department between full-time and part-time officers, which should be a workable proposal — and much less costly than a department comprising only full-time personnel.

To their credit, many officials in the county's southeastern sector, now that they have the state's information in hand, want to evaluate the proposal further to try to bring costs for the department into an affordable range. Unfortunately, whatever the final numbers might not satisfy Jefferson Township especially.

Jefferson doesn't have a police department and therefore no police budget. It could be challenging for that municipality to suddenly have to dole out a significant sum to make local police service possible.

But Jefferson officials shouldn't reject the regional plan at this juncture; they should wait to see what further studies produce in terms of information and financial obligations.

Municipal officials were right in embracing the attitude that a regional department would have to fall within cost parameters that their communities could afford — and would have to follow the wishes of residents.

"It has to be something the community wants," said Clinton Township Supervisor Mary Zacherl.

It will take some time before a final verdict on the proposal is available. Judging from the costs identified in the state study and what the communities regard as financially feasible, some extensive discussions, planning sessions and "crunching of numbers" would appear to be ahead.

Fortunately, the communities are not facing any deadlines in regard to making a final decision. Perhaps the only consideration at this stage is that 2009 is a municipal election year and some faces could change in the local governments, dealing the proposal a setback.

The communities should continue talking, considering all aspects of the proposal with an open mind. Whatever the final decision, residents of the municipalities will be able to feel comfortable that the eventual decision is based on factual data, not haste.

While not initially producing good news, the good beginning that the proposal has experienced should be regarded as a source of optimism, not defeat.

As many car buyers are aware, a less-expensive model oftentimes can deliver benefits, comfort and service similar to those vehicles with high-priced stickers. The same theory can be applied to regional police departments.