COBB COUNTY - Cobb Community Transit riders could face higher prices and fewer options.

At Tuesday's Board of Commissioners' work session, Cobb Department of Transportation Director Faye DiMassimo will present a proposal that includes a potential fare increase and reduction in service.

CCT has been the topic of discussion among county officials for some time, as the county looks to balance its budget and cut costs in today's tough economic climate.

"Cobb Community Transit (CCT) is facing significant budget shortfalls for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012. To address these shortfalls, the Department is considering several ways to increase revenues and reduce expenses," according to the county.

County spokesman Robert Quigley said CCT will be asked to reduce its operating costs by $3 million. CCT is also being asked to reduce its service level by 5 percent, Quigley said. Local fare to ride a bus on the transit system would go up from $1.50 to $2 one-way, while express bus ridership would increase from $3 to $4 each way, Quigley said. CCT's current budget is $19.1 million, as the department calculated 4.5 million passengers during fiscal year 2009. Quigley said reduction in service could include eliminating Saturday service hours, cutting customer service hours, reducing ticket purchasing locations and/or closing customer service centers in Marietta and in the Cumberland area.

After DiMassimo presents the proposal Tuesday, the board is expected to approve scheduling public hearings to receive input from residents. Public meetings are tentatively scheduled to occur on Sept. 13 and 14 at the county's central library in Marietta, Quigley said.

Also being presented during the work session is the proposed FY 2011 county budget. The first public hearing for the budget is scheduled for Sept. 14, with adoption anticipated to occur during the board's Sept. 28 night meeting.

The board is expected to approve another extension on the county's temporary suspension of the acceptance of applications for Special Land Use Permits for cell towers. The suspension was originally approved on Jan. 26 to end on April 30, before being extended on April 27 to end on July 31. The county is preparing to amend its codes regarding cell towers.