CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler County Community College board of trustees approved the college's 2018-19 combined budget of $35.6 million and a slight increase of tuition rates Wednesday at its monthly meeting.

Starting July 1, tuition will increase $5 to $113 per credit hour for Butler County residents taking fewer than 12 credits and more than 17 credits. All other state residents will pay $213 per credit hour, and out-of-state residents will pay $313 per credit hour, according to the new tuition rate established.

Additionally, the full-time flat rate for students taking 12 to 17 credits will increase by $75 each for Butler County residents and out-of-state students. County residents will pay $1,695 for flat, full-time rate starting July 1. State residents will pay $3,195, and out-of-state residents will pay $4,695.

Nick Neupauer, president of BC3, said even with the increases, the fees represent the most affordable post-secondary option in the area and possibly across the state.

“This is something we spend a lot of time going over,” Neupauer said. “When we raise tuition, we take that very seriously here. We pride ourselves on being an affordable option.”

The 2018-19 combined budget includes a $29.4 million operating budget and $6.2 million capital fund budget.

It represents a 0.66 percent — or $232,215 — increase over the current year's budget.

Revenue from student tuition and fees is expected to bring in $16.9 million, which makes up about 47 percent of the combined budget. That's an increase of about 1.2 percent from the current year, or about $232, 215.

Jim Hrabosky, vice president of finance and administration, said BC3 officials try to be conservative when calculating the increase from tuition as it can change.

The state's contribution is expected to remain about the same, at around $10.1 million, or 28.6 percent of the combined budget.

The college expects to get nearly $100,000 more from Butler County government's contribution thanks to an increase in the value of a mill due to growth in the county, Hrabosky said. The county contribution is $5.1 million, about 14.3 percent of the combined budget.

On the expenditures side, Hrabosky said there were contractual increases with the college's bargaining units and administration. Salaries and benefits are nearly $23.3 million in 2018-19, an increase of $489,600.