The Butler County Prison Board received a morsel of good news Tuesday when it was told that a two-month construction delay on the new prison had been reduced by one week. This summer's schedule slip occurred because the Erie steel supplier, Amthor Steel, was unable to provide the project's structural steel on time.

But while this bit of good news eases some of the frustration county officials have experienced because of the delay, this good news and any that might be forthcoming should not dampen the county's resolve to exercise its right to impose financial penalties if the project extends beyond its October 2007 completion date.

Whatever penalties general contractor A. G. Cullen of Pittsburgh might be assessed for late completion could be resolved by way of Cullen's future dealings with Amthor. That isn't this county's business; it's a matter for the two companies to work out between themselves.

The county should remain committed to the terms of the contract that stipulate that Cullen will be assessed either $1,000 per day for the period that the completion deadline is missed, or the county's actual expenses tied to such factors as housing inmates in other counties' prisons because of inadequate space at the current Butler County lockup.

County taxpayers shouldn't have to foot extra costs stemming from contractors' inability to meet the terms of their contracts. Assurances that such an obligation will not be cast upon the taxpayers should be part of the discussion during next year's county commissioners election campaign.

All three commissioner seats will be up for grabs in the 2007 elections.

Meanwhile, a troubling disclosure at the prison board meeting was that structural steel for the top floor of the three-story building won't be arriving for about two months, despite the steel for the bottom two floors already being in place.

It would seem that more timely delivery of the remaining steel would be helpful in shaving off more time from how much the project is behind schedule.

Judging from its role in the project delay, it would seem that Amthor would be eager to go the extra mile in an effort to help the project move forward more quickly.

The county commissioners will have to keep their fingers crossed that an early arrival of challenging winter weather doesn't descend upon the city and wreak havoc with the December steel shipments or on-site construction. Such a situation could delay having the structure completely under roof, which is currently being targeted for April.

Based on discussion at this week's prison board session, the project is on track for an early December 2007 completion. However, Pat Sone of Massaro Corp., the project construction manager, told the prison board that the construction schedule was being re-evaluated monthly as those working on the project attempt to improve the timetable.

Judging from the pace of work over the past several weeks, it would seem that the project could have been much farther along — and well within the construction schedule — if the steel shipments had arrived on time.

The bottom line remains: If the county failed to keep its end of the construction bargain, such as paying contractors on time, the contractors would have no reluctance to complain or impose a work stoppage, and they would be justified in doing so.

Thus, the county will be justified in invoking its penalty options, if the situation eventually warrants.

County taxpayers will lose if the commissioners retreat from that firm stance.