BUTLER TWP — Butler County Community College Wednesday adopted a 2009-10 budget called "tight."

The budget draws from the college's cash reserves to balance a deficit that resulted from deferred payments from the county and flatlined contributions from the state. The budget uses $645,722, or about 64 percent of that fund.

"We're heading into a difficult year, considering state and county money," said Jim Hrabosky, vice president for finance. Nevertheless, he called the $27.4 million budget "realistic."

The budget is a 4 percent increase in spending from this year. Hrabosky said the average growth of a budget is about 6 or 7 percent.

The budget factors in the $6 tuition credit increase that brings the cost of a credit, including fees, to $79 for county residents. The college also plans a 4 percent increase in enrollment. Those increases in revenue, though, won't balance the loss of revenue and additional expenses.

The county late last year announced it would defer payments to the college so the county could balance its budget. Under the college's charter, the county is to pay a third of the college's operating budget as its sponsor. The payment deferment will cost the college about $1 million in the 2009-10 budget.

Hrabosky said medical insurance costs, even with employees now paying a portion, will increase 8 percent. Additionally, he expects utility costs to jump 17 percent. Part of that will be the increase in electric charges of about 11 percent.

Another part of the cost will be the opening of the new Student Success Center, which will increase campus building square feet by 15 percent.

This budget also incorporates the second phase of the Pioneer Cafe project, renovations at the Cranberry campus, and classroom furniture in the four original buildings of the social science/humanities department.