Good news for drivers?

The Central Florida Expressway Authority says it might kill a big toll increase on its roads in the region.

The region’s toll-road agency on Thursday will consider killing a big toll increase for drivers on its 109 miles of roads in the region. A 15 percent toll increase slated for July 1 was set in motion years ago when the Central Florida Expressway Authority was struggling financially. Axing the hike would hold down driving costs for both frequent and occasional travelers on toll roads in the Orlando area.

Those who use transponders and pay about $100 a month in tolls would be spared a total annual increase of nearly $200, according to the agency, while those who toss quarters into buckets would be spared a hike of 25 cents at typical toll plazas.

The move, if approved by the agency’s board, also would establish annual increases starting in July, 2018 of 1.5 percent or an amount that reflects inflation.

“I do believe this sends a message to the Central Florida community that we are thinking customer first, toll payer first, and gaining that public trust back,” said board member Jay Madara, who helped craft the plan.

“It’s no secret the previous board was focused elsewhere as opposed to fiscal responsibility,” said Madara, CFO for NBC’s Golf Channel, who was appointed to the agency board by Gov. Rick Scott in 2014.

In 2014, the toll-road agency was roiled by a corruption scandal that ultimately led to a bribery conviction and prison term for then-board member Scott Batterson.

That same year, the OrlandoOrange County Expressway Authority was restructured as the Central Florida Expressway Authority. Staffers and board members since then have stressed a need to regain public trust.

In a meeting last month, when Mayor Buddy Dyer was chosen as the agency’s chairman, board members noted that the hike is pending though the agency is enjoying solid financial footing. He directed the expressway authority to pair staff and Madara, the agency’s newly seated treasurer, in an examination of tolls.

“There may be opportunity to take a more moderate approach to the upcoming increase as well as toll rates in future years,” he said. A spokeswoman for Dyer wouldn’t say if he’ll vote against the 15 percent increase, elaborating that he is “looking forward to furthering this discussion with the board.”

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, another member of the authority’s board, could not be reached for comment.

Madara said the 15 percent hike would boost annual revenue by about $60 million.

Even so, he said, the agency’s construction projects, bond ratings and overall financial health aren’t likely to be affected by rejecting the planned hike. Costly work ahead includes the Wekiva Parkway, the State Road 408 interchange with Interstate 4 and the widening State Road 417.

Madara said he thinks the board will back the proposal.

“I’m hard pressed to see why anybody would not want to be in favor,” he said.