The Butler treasurer has joined the race for Butler County commissioner.

Jeff Smith, 59, of Butler announced today he is seeking one of two Republican nominations in the May 19 primary.

Smith said his government background, which includes being a Harmony councilman from 1998 through 2010 — 10 of which as council president — and being the executive director of the Butler County Council of Governments, makes him qualified to be commissioner.

“It's important a county commissioner represents all of the county and it's hard to represent people if you don't have experience working with them,” he said.

Smith said his work with the COG, which started as board president in 2007, enabled him to interact with municipal officials.

“I've had the opportunity to work with people all over the county,” he said.

Smith described himself as a fiscal conservative, saying he would keep property taxes from rising.

He said city tax revenue has risen more than 6 percent during his tenure as treasurer.

“The people in the office and I have been very aggressive identifying landlords who might not have known about the business privilege tax,” Smith said.

He also is the treasurer for the Butler Parking Authority.

Smith said his experience as the supply chain manager for PPG Industries in Pittsburgh prepared him for controlling costs.

He said the county should stimulate job creation in the private sector by creating an environment attractive to employers, so new ones will relocate to the county and ones already here will grow.

Smith said the commissioners can foster such a climate by keeping taxes low, partnering with the Community Development Corporation of Butler County and municipalities, acting as an ambassador to prospective employers and working with state and federal lawmakers to ensure there is adequate infrastructure.

According to Smith, the county should work with Butler County Community College and Slippery Rock University to help grow talent.

“If we have a good work force, businesses will want to come here,” he said.

This is Smith's second try to win a commissioner's seat. He lost in the 2011 primary.

Smith was recognized as the 2008 Pennsylvania Borough Councilman of the Year.

He is an SRU board member as well as a member of the Butler A.M. Rotary and the Pennsylvania Association of Council of Trustees.

Smith has a bachelor's degree in computer science from Pennsylvania State University and a master's in business administration from the University of Evansville in Indiana.

He lives in Butler with his wife, Diane. They have six grown children.

Smith is part of a growing field of GOP candidates for commissioner. Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer, Larry Thompson and Lisa Metcalfe have made official announcements.

Incumbent Republicans Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton have not expressed an interest in seeking re-election.

Jerry Johnston and Kevin Boozel are running for Democratic nominations. Incumbent Democrat Commissioner Jim Eckstein has not made a formal announcement, but has stated he will seek re-election.