WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Butler County commissioners toured the White House and spoke with federal officials Thursday about such topics as transportation and the opioid crisis.

The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs invited Pennsylvania county commissioners to attend a conference and tour.

County Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, said the topics broached by President Donald Trump's administration included transportation and infrastructure.

“That was the most intense discussion we had,” Osche said.

Osche said the Trump administration is shifting funding from the Community Development Block Grant funding to infrastructure investment.

Although counties typically use CDBG funding for water and sewage projects as well as recreation and park projects, some have spent the money on housing.

Osche said that latter expense is frowned upon, so the administration intends to move the funding to ensure the money is spent on infrastructure and transportation.

Although the commissioners don't oppose funding dedicated strictly to infrastructure, they are not abandoning the CDBG program.

“We'll still be advocating for CDBG,” Osche said.

The 2016 CDBG allocation for the county and four entitlement municipalities was $698,505.

County Commissioner Kim Geyer said the discussion also covered concerns about federal transportation funding paying only 80 percent of local projects.

“They take 20 percent off the top,” Geyer said.

Kellyanne Conway, White House counselor, spoke to the assembled commissioners about the administration recognizing the escalating drug problem affecting the nation.

Conway has been traveling across the country with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, chair of Trump's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, to discuss ways to deal with the issue.

Osche said a major problem is addicts not seeking assistance.

“People are not forthcoming for help,” she said.

Conway and the commissioners also talked about former addicts needing help assimilating back into society.

The commissioners also heard from Linda McMahon, administrator of the Small Business Administration, who spoke about providing aid to small businesses.

“She was a really dynamic speaker,” Osche said.

Geyer said Sonny Perdue, head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is receptive to county concerns for farming.

She said the county will update him following the next town hall scheduled with farmers. The county held one earlier this year.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel was unable to travel to Washington due to a prior commitment.

According to Geyer, the event was a worthwhile trip.

“Overall, this has been an amazing day,” she said.

Geyer said having access to Cabinet members was important.

“It speaks volumes of the open door policy Trump has,” she said.