BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Community College trustees Wednesday approved a $26.81 million budget for the 2011-12 year, including employee raises. They also approved a flat-rate tuition, which will increase costs for some students. The year begins July 1.

The college anticipates a 10 percent reduction in state subsidies, about $1.2 million, in Gov. Tom Corbett’s 2011-12 budget, which remains in legislative negotiations. That budget is due June 30, and schools statewide have estimated their state subsidies.

“I think this budget reflects where we’ve been as an institution and where we are going,” said Nick Neupauer, president.

The budget is a 3.77 percent, nearly $1 million increase over 2010-11. The largest increase, $849,105, is for employee raises which were approved Wednesday.

Trustees also extended Neupauer’s employment agreement through June 30, 2014. In 2011-12, he will earn $169,746.

The full-time student tuition and per credit costs affect county, state and out-of-state residents.

Butler County residents will be charged a flat, full-time rate of $1,320 for 12 to 17 credit hours. For less than 12 credits or more than 17 credits, Butler County residents will pay $88 per credit hour.

In 2010-11, without the flat fee in place, Butler county residents paid $104 per credit.

“We fall in line with what other schools are doing,” Neupauer said.

Under BC3’s new tuition policy, other state residents will pay a flat rate of $2,640 for 12 to 17 credit hours, and $176 per credit.

Out-of-state-residents will pay $3,960 for 12 to 17 credits and $264 per credit.

Neupauer hopes the flat-rate tuition will encourage students to stay in school and get their two-year degrees, in line with federal education goals, he said.

The board approved 3.8 percent raises for 67 full-time faculty. Those faculty earn an average of $52,700 annually, Linda Dodd, director of human resources, said.

Secretaries will receive a 4.2 percent increase, Dodd said. The college employs 44 full-time secretaries, whose median wage is $15.49 per hour, she said.

The contracts include increased health care contributions from employees.

No layoffs were announced. Some positions are funded by grants which end July 1, at which time the school will reassess its needs, Dodd said. Grant-paid staff members often are moved to other open positions when funding ends, she said.

The board also approved $197,719 in annual insurance costs and named Maher Duessel, CPAs, as BC3’s auditors through 2014. Maher Duessel’s payments will steadily increase, from $31,300 in 2011 to $34,300, in 2014.

Aubrey Boothe was named the $1,000 winner of the fall scholarship from the Butler County Loan Guaranty Scholarship Trust Fund. Winners of other BC3 scholarships will be notified in July.

The next BC3 board meeting is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21.