Butler Eagle File Photo

There hasn’t been a fare increase for the Butler Transit Authority’s local service since 2012, and that will continue at least through 2024.

The authority’s board of directors accepted a budget proposal at a meeting Tuesday, April 25, when John Paul, executive director of the authority, said the inflation rate typically would call for a fare increase, but 2023 is not a typical time.

“Under normal circumstances, we would be having discussions about a fare increase,” he said. “However, it is my recommendation based on the current situation and recovery of the system because of the pandemic that we would look for a possible fare increase in 2024.”

The 2023-24 budget came in with an operating cost of about $3.1 million. Salaries and wages account for the biggest expense in the budget, an expected $393,000. Other anticipated major expenses include: fringe benefits, $254,000; services, $245,000; and miscellaneous expenses, $123,000.

The budget lists expected revenues for the fiscal year to be more than $328,000. The authority also is expecting to receive about $2.78 million in grant funding.

Also at the meeting, the board approved a 5% salary increase that will affect four full-time employees and seven part-time employees of the authority.

Additionally, the board heard a presentation from Kelly Stewart, public relations and IT manager for the authority, regarding the 2023-24 marketing and communications plan.

Total cost of the plan — which includes digital, social media, print, window advertisements and attendance in parades meant to grow ridership and community awareness of the authority’s services — is about $55,000. Stewart said last year’s cost for marketing and communications was about $43,000.