CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau wants to completely change its membership structure. and it also might allow businesses in neighboring counties as members.

The overhaul, which would require a bylaw change that would have to be approved by the bureau’s 372 members, would include a $20 rate increase every two years for members, although the board of directors would revisit that fee increase in five years.

Tourism President Jack Cohen said at a meeting this morning that the membership structure only allows in-county businesses. Any for-profit business pays $165 annually while nonprofit organizations pay $110.

If the bylaw changes are approved, those rates would increase $20 every two years, although that fee structure could change after the board revisits the issue in five years.

The bureau, for the first time, also would allow tourism-related businesses in neighboring counties to join for $1,000 annually, while those businesses would be marketed and promoted by the bureau but would not have voting rights.

County lines are always being crossed, Cohen said, and almost all of the bureau’s revenue in the form of bed taxes comes from out-of-county residents.

“Why wouldn’t we accept these folks as members?” Cohen asked. “It makes sense to.”

The board approved the motion by a unanimous vote, and it will now be sent to the bureau’s 372 members for a vote.

Each member has 30 days to cast a vote, and the results of the vote will be unveiled at the agency’s meeting in January.