The occupants of the fifth floor of the Butler County Government Center might look to Beaver County leaders for ideas or inspiration on cost savings.

Actions by Butler County’s commissioners since January have raised some questions. Granted, it’s only been a few months, but concerns are being raised about spending — the budget, taxes, and finding ways to cut costs.

In neighboring Beaver County, where the financial conditions are also dire, it was announced last week that the county will offer buyouts to 131 employees.

The program targets county workers with the most years of service to maximize potential savings. It will offer $35,000 annual payments until 2019 and will be available to county workers who are 50 years old with 25 years of service, 55 years old with 20 years or 65 years old with 10 years of county service.

Similar buyout programs have been offered in school districts to accelerate the departure of highest-paid teachers and then replacing those classroom veterans with younger teachers at lower wage rates.

Beaver County’s savings could be substantial. If all 131 of those offered the buyout take it — and are not replaced — the county could save $22.7 million over the next three years. Some of those taking early retirement might have to be replaced, but certainly not all of them.

In Butler County, as two writers of letters to the editor have noted, 14 people were hired by the new board of commissioners. In the case of a retirement or someone leaving for another job, was it necessary to hire a replacement? Were the newly created positions really necessary?

Stretched county taxpayers expect the commissioners to look for ways to improve efficiencies in the government center. They also expect county workers to “do more with less” as many private-sector workers have been asked to do in recent years.

Taxpayers expect that new technologies will allow for staff reductions — again, as has happened in the private sector.

In addition to offering buyouts, Beaver County leaders say they intend to rein in county spending. The commissioners’ chief of staff says he is reminding all department heads and row officers that three quotes are required for any purchase over $750. A new policy in Beaver County government will install a system designed to control spending better than in the past.

Are Butler County’s leaders doing something similar?

Butler County officials might also look to Beaver County as leaders there work on a “central services” program to better control printing, copying and related office costs.

Butler County’s commissioners have been saying all the right things when it comes to cutting costs. They said in January that despite not reopening the county budget they are pushing county employees to cut spending this year by $5 million.

Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chair, noted that when it comes to savings, personnel is a place to look because it’s the county’s largest cost item. But how does that view square with hiring 14 new employees, even if some were replacements? Was each of those new hires really necessary? Private companies have cut payroll costs through attrition. Why not the county?

Osche has also said the county is pressing department heads and row officers to cut overtime, which could save $800,000 a year.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel has pointed to improving efficiencies, including in how the county buys and uses office supplies. But county officials have been criticized in a letter to the editor for tens of thousands of dollars worth of copier toner sitting in inventory. Is this a carry-over from the prior board, or is the stocking of excess inventory continuing?

County government must cut costs. Recent budgets drained the county’s fund balance as spending outpaced revenues.

Butler County’s leaders say they understand that real change is necessary. Beaver County seems to be showing it’s serious about spending control.