County Commissioner James Kennedy and Controller John "Jack" McMillin were right on Wednesday in expressing concern about the creation of new jobs not authorized under the 2004 budget passed in December. Both officials, who are members of the county salary board, were right that officials should look more closely at personnel needs at budget time, even though it isn't legally wrong for new positions to be created any time during the year.

At Wednesday's meeting of the salary board, which includes the county commissioners and other county officials, five court-related positions were created, with money for the new employees' pay and benefits targeted to come from a $600,000 contingency fund, in place for unforeseen expenses.

Actually, the request for the five positions, from President Judge Thomas Doerr, wasn't a surprise. Doerr had requested the employees as the current budget was being prepared, but was denied.

Although Kennedy voted in favor of the upcoming hirings, he worried aloud about the mounting costs of the county government and even suggested a freeze on creating new, unbudgeted jobs.

The freeze idea failed to gain support although later that day, at a commissioners meeting, the commissioners said they would discuss the idea before voting on it.

In voting against the new jobs, McMillin estimated that the new jobs would cost $235,000 in the first year and $1.3 million over five years. And, McMillin pointed out, there have been 105 new county jobs created since Jan. 1, 2000 - a 15 percent increase in positions.

Commissioner Glenn Anderson, in defending the hirings, said that since the budget action, court officials have proven the need for the jobs, and that the hirings would prove cheaper than outsourcing the work.

Anderson said the judge had assured him that there would be a savings to the county.

"If in six months or a year these positions are not saving us money, we will terminate them," he said.

As that review time arrives, officials should provide facts and figures to county residents regarding the five positions and publicly state their reasons for keeping or eliminating the jobs.

Butler City Council purports to want people to come downtown to shop, utilize services, and to participate in the several major events scheduled during the year.But beyond a feeble "good luck" from Councilman Joseph Bratkovich, the council failed to react at all Thursday to a positive program for which planning is under way - a New Years "Ring in the Arts" event, similar to Pittsburgh's First Night celebration, planned for 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1. And, the group planning the event, the Butler Arts Council, wasn't even asking for money from the city's coffers to warrant such a cold response.An official, enthusiastic endorsement of the idea and best wishes were in order from the city council, but apparently none of the city's leaders could muster the right words at the time. It isn't very often that anyone comes forth with anything new and exciting to complement the major events that already take place downtown at other times of the year.Perhaps council members were just "shellshocked" that such a good idea had surfaced for that cold weather time of the year, or perhaps they were silently concerned about the potential costs to the city to have extra police on duty that night.But the arts council, which is planning a fund-raising event for the celebration, deserves an abundant amount of encouragement. What is being planned will be a positive family event that has the makings of something very good for Butler."We plan on having activities and events geared for the whole family, from children to adults to senior citizens," said Maggie Stock, the arts council representative who addressed the council.Families would be able to access arts events, live music and other events, and a number of businesses already have expressed interest in providing activities.At some point, the city council should overcome its speechlessness, officially endorse the plan and genuinely express interest in being updated on "Ring in the Arts" as the planning progresses.

The Rendell administration deserves a high-five for its "reverse auction" to cut the cost of buying office supplies.State taxpayers currently are footing a $22.5 million annual bill for such supplies, but after 88 minutes of bidding the other day, taxpayers had the potential to save about $10 million during the 2004-05 fiscal year. More than one of the low bids were for $13 million or less.The state isn't ready to sign any contracts; bidders must be graded on their commitments to provide reliable service. And, it is the state's intent to, within the process, try to advance businesses owned by minorities and women.However, this new approach to buying office supplies is consistent with the "strategic sourcing" initiative through which Gov. Ed Rendell hopes to save $100 million a year on contracts for 20 or more commodity groups."We were paying a lot more for our products than we could have been or should have been," said Donald T. Cunningham, state Secretary of General Services, following the bidding, which saw an undisclosed number of suppliers racing against the clock to submit the lowest bid.It is amazing how much money government can save - when it makes up its mind to do so.- J.R.K.