The first-year Butler County commissioners say they have no regrets seeking the office despite having a busy year and no signs of a lighter load in 2017.

Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, said it was worth working 70-hour weeks to pursue an aggressive agenda.

“We were able to make significant progress on the financial side,” she said.

The county started 2016 with a 3-mill property tax hike. The proposed 2017 budget has no increase.

Commissioner Kim Geyer agreed the elongated work schedule was time well spent.

“We've been doing things right out of the gate,” Geyer said.

The commissioners prioritized cutting costs at the onset of their term and continued through the development of the proposed 2017 budget, which cuts employee travel costs 30 percent from this year's spending.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said the budget process, which this year's board watched at the end of last year as commissioners-elect, needed changed.

“There just wasn't enough information given and discussion to make good decisions,” Boozel said.

He said it was vital to change that practice.

“We set new expectations,” Boozel said.

He said there are ways to trim the budget without sacrificing needs, citing the example of the travel cost reduction.

“Nobody's been denied required training,” Boozel said.

He said even unmandated conferences are acceptable as long as the frequency is reduced from three or two annually to one.

Along with budgetary concerns, the board also addressed other needs.

The 2016 agenda included capital improvements, deciding to split the Conservation District from the county, creating a new planning post, dealing with nonunion salaries and replacing the 911 emergency radio system.

“We're tackling projects one by one,” Geyer said.

Just as Boozel was taken aback by the county budget process, Geyer said she was disappointed with the overall planning.

“I was surprised by the lack of thought for long- and short-term planning that did not occur,” Geyer said.

She said the county was too complacent and had to implement a better process.

“We're always looking at the big picture,” Geyer said. “It was more reacting than being proactive. We're change agents. We're trying to change the culture. We're trying to do it with a sense of purpose.”

She said decision-making is tied to making government more efficient and sustainable through such means as investing in technology — something she said the county should have done 20 years ago.

Along with tackling numbers and projects, the commissioners learned how to navigate county government.

Osche said there was a learning curve about how government operates with different aspects controlled by the commissioners, row officers and the county court.

“Who has control over what,” she said. “It's a balancing act.”

Boozel said he had to learn that things cannot change overnight.

“I had to dig really deep for patience,” he said.

Boozel said the investment of time this past year was necessary for a rookie board to ensure nothing fell through the cracks.

Geyer agreed.

“Just laying the groundwork this year has been crucial,” she said.

Boozel does not regret becoming a commissioner.

“I am very glad I ran,” he said.

Geyer agreed.

“My goal was always to make a difference,” she said. “I'm really very glad I did this.”

Geyer praised her colleagues.

“It's a real pleasure to work with Kevin and Leslie,” she said. “I couldn't ask for better teammates.”

For Osche, the feeling is mutual.

“I love working with Kim and Kevin,” Osche said.

Geyer said the commissioners received positive feedback on their teamwork.

“Wherever we go, people, all the time, say 'we are so happy you guys work together,'” she said. “'It's a breath of fresh air.'”

However, Geyer said the board cannot let negative feedback make them too cautious.

“We'll take the criticism,” she said. “I would rather be proactive.”

Osche said the key is how one deals with problems.

“You cannot control what happens to you,” she said. “Sometimes, bad things happen to you, but you can control your response.”

The commissioners agreed much was accomplished so far in their term.

“I am nothing but grateful,” Osche said. “It's been a good year.”

But Geyer said they have only scratched the surface.

“We have a lot more work to do.”