The Butler County commissioners will vote Wednesday on a proposed ordinance that would set a $5 fee on vehicles registered in the county.

The commissioners said after Wednesday's meeting they received 20 phone calls protesting the fee.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said in an interview that most of the complaints have come over the Internet.

“Social media lit up,” Boozel said of community reaction to the proposed fee. He said about 5 percent of online comments supported the fee.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said in an interview that when the rationale for the fee's implementation is explained, people become more receptive to the idea.

“The whole perspective changes,” Geyer said.

Funds garnered from the fee, which are estimated to be $920,000 annually, could only be used for road and bridge work. According to the commissioners, 34 Butler County bridges are in need of repair.

County Commissioner Leslie Osche previously said the fee needs to be adopted this spring to take advantage of a $2 million incentive temporarily offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The state legislature in 2016 diverted funding for the incentive by limiting expenses from the Motor License Fund being earmarked for the state police budget.

If approved by Butler County commissioners next week, the fee would be added to drivers' total registration cost.

During a meeting Wednesday, commissioners heard no complaints about the proposed fee. Two people spoke during the public comments part of the meeting, and they supported the fee.

Ed Kirkwood, Butler Township manager, said the fee should be adopted.

“It's a fair and equitable tax,” Kirkwood said.

Kathleen McCaig of the Cranberry Township planing department agreed the fee, which would generate revenue for county road and bridge work, would be beneficial.

“This is simply an opportunity you cannot pass up,” she said.

The commissioners last week said the county would allot any money not used for county road and bridge projects to municipalities' infrastructure needs.