Mars residents will decide in the May 16 primary if liquor license sales will be permitted.

The Butler County commissioners, serving as the county elections board, on Wednesday approved two referendums on the ballots for Mars voters.

The first referendum asks: “Do you favor granting liquor licenses for the sale of liquor in Mars?”

The second is: “Do you favor the granting of liquor licenses to public venues for the sale of liquor in Mars?”

Legal services for negotiationsThe county commissioners hired the Pittsburgh firm Campbell Durrant Beatty Palombo & Miller to represent the county during contract negotiations with unions.The rate varies between $115 to $190 an hour depending on the level of the law firm employee who is performing work for the county.Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, said in an interview the firm’s hiring would free up county solicitor Mike English to focus on daily business, which includes union grievances and other personnel issues.Osche said the firm was selected due to its statewide reputation for handling contract negotiations.

Job classificationsThe county commissioners approved an agreement with the Dublin, Ohio, division of the Archer Company to update the nonunion worker salary ranges and classifications on an as-needed basis.Under the contract, Archer will be paid $165 for each job evaluation and $115 an hour for other services.

Bridge work Hays Bridge in Adams Township is getting a new surface.The county commissioners awarded a $30,000 contract to Voelker Paving of Butler to do the work.