Two commissioners named to state board
Two of the three county commissioners have been named to the executive board of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
According the CCAP website, the association's mission is to “strengthen Pennsylvania counties' ability to govern their own affairs and improve the well-being and quality of life of their constituents.”
The association also works with the governor and state legislators to influence state policy and legislation.
Commissioner Kevin Boozel was named second vice president and Commissioner Chairman Leslie Osche was named treasurer of CCAP last week at the association's 132nd annual conference in Gettysburg.
The appointments marked both commissioners' first time on the CCAP executive board.
Regarding other Butler County commissioners who have served on CCAP's executive board, former commissioners James Green and James Kennedy each served as president during their tenure with the county.
Boozel said his main task will be to support the board's initiatives that appear in the form of resolutions.
One resolution the association's membership will vote on in the next two weeks is attaining resources from municipalities and the state government for emergency services organizations.
He said 29 resolutions are on the table now, and those resolutions will become the priorities of the CCAP legislative body.
“It's exciting,” Boozel said of his election to the CCAP board. “It's a great opportunity to let Western Pennsylvania be heard across the state.”
Boozel has met many other commissioners through the CCAP leadership program and compared their concerns and struggles with those in Butler County.
He also serves on the CCAP information technology and economic development committees, and the tourism subcommittee, which he chairs.
Osche was named treasurer after the resignation of the existing treasurer due to campaign responsibilities.
“It was somewhat unexpected, but I'm happy to step in and help,” Osche said.
She will work with the finance team in overseeing CCAP audits, review finances and provide treasurer's reports to the association's membership.
Osche will attend three CCAP conferences per year and participate in conference calls as needed.
She echoed Boozel's sentiments regarding keeping the interests of the western part of the state in the ears of Harrisburg decision-makers.
“It gives Butler County a voice and input into the policy-making process,” Osche said.
Learning from one another is also a major benefit of participation in CCAP, she said.
The commissioners welcomed Berks County's commissioners to the government center a few weeks ago to look at their programs related to recovery and re-entry into society for addicts.
“There's definitely a benefit to being able to go out there and find out how other commissioners are doing things,” Osche said.
CCAP was how Butler County's commissioners learned about the idea of an infrastructure bank, which was initiated in the county last year and recently identified its first six municipalities to receive low-interest loans for infrastructure projects.
The commissioners learned about the infrastructure bank from their counterparts in Dauphin County.
“We introduced it to Fayette County, and they are now considering it,” Osche said.
She said while Commissioner Kim Geyer is not on the CCAP executive board, she serves on the association's energy and environment committee as well as the governance committee, which is working on legislation regarding county code.
“Her role on those committees are critical as well,” Osche said. “All three of us are in some sort of leadership role.”
