Butler County could have a new revenue stream in 2015 to pay for bridge work.

Under the new state transportation law enacted last month, a county can assess a $5 fee for every vehicle registered in that county.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 208,724 vehicles registered in Butler County for 2012.

Although that data seems to indicate the county could reap nearly $1.5 million from implementing the fee, Richard Kirkpatrick, PennDOT acting press secretary, said the registration report may include some exempt vehicles.

That would reduce the amount of money raised by the fee.

The state does not require registration fees for some vehicles, including those owned by governments, mass transportation providers and volunteer emergency services.

Other vehicle owners, such as hospitals, the Humane Society and the American Red Cross, are charged a $10 processing fee by the state in lieu of a full $36 registration fee.

According to Kirkpatrick, the registration report may include some of the latter category in that total number.

He said any county implementing the $5 fee could use the money for road and bridge work.

“The county would have to adopt an ordinance,” Kirkpatrick said.

County Commissioner Bill McCarrier, board chairman, said the commissioners would consider implementing the fee, which can’t be assessed before 2015.

McCarrier said the additional revenue could fill the gap left by reduced state funding for bridge work.

“Hopefully, that will replace what they’re cutting us back,” he said.

Dave Johnston, county planning director, explained the state is designating more revenue to its own infrastructure.

“It’s really hurting our local bridge program,” Johnston said.

He said the county not only has to maintain 136 of its bridges, it must pay 5 percent of the total cost for state bridge projects.

If the county passes a fee ordinance, private and commercial vehicle owners would pay the state the additional $5 when renewing a vehicle registration.

The state would then remit the funds to the county every June and December.