County commissioners seeking third terms in uncontested race
All three Butler County commissioners are running for their third four-year terms in office in uncontested races in the Nov. 7 election.
Leslie Osche, chairman of the commissioners, and Kim Geyer won Republican Party nominations over three other candidates in the primary. Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Kevin Boozel was not challenged in the primary.
Osche, who has served as chairman for both of her terms in office, said she has helped build a budget fund balance from $1 million to about $11 million without raising taxes, secure nearly $100 million in grant funds for infrastructure projects, establish the Infrastructure Bank program using Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact fees, generate $36 million in infrastructure investments, create the southwest Butler County stormwater collaborative, allocate $12 million in American Rescue Act funds to prevent future flooding; and launched the empowerment training program with Butler County Community College to help people recover from addiction.
Geyer said she has helped change a budget deficit that existed before she was elected into a fund balance of more than $30 million, secure two federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Grants totaling $45 million, create the Infrastructure Bank program and increase investments in county parks and trails.
Boozel said he has worked collaboratively to obtain millions of dollars for county infrastructure, including some earmarked specifically for rural portions of the county as well as the southern freight corridor. He also said he has helped maintain a capital program and reduce deferred maintenance work without raising taxes. He has held leadership roles in the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
