Transit authority approves 2026-27 budget with wage increases
Butler Transit Authority is set to have a balanced operational budget for fiscal year 2026-27, including a raise for employees.
The authority’s board of directors voted unanimously Tuesday evening, April 28, to approve the operational budget for the upcoming fiscal year starting July 1.
The total revenue and expenditures for the year sits at $3,833,000 — about a $250,000 increase compared to the $3.6 million budget last year.
Tiffany Fosnaught, the authority’s finance manager, said the budget is balanced thanks to a number of grants. She said the authority is not projected to touch its reserves.
“It’s mainly a 3% increase for the most part on all of those, which is allowable by the state,” she said.
Despite the budget increase, the board determined fares will not increase for the upcoming year. For 2024-25, the board raised fares from $1.25 to $1.50 to adjust for inflation after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Authority executive director John Paul said employee wages will rise 4 to 5%, the same as last year’s wage increases.
The next scheduled Butler Transit Authority meeting is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 19.
