In terms of workplace acrimony, Butler County government stands exactly where it stood 364 days ago, based on the lines of the Butler Eagle’s first editorial of 2013.

The Jan. 1 editorial noted: “The tumultuous year experienced by Butler County government in 2012 no doubt was unlike any that the commissioners office ever experienced previously in the county’s history.”

That no longer can be said, since 2013 was largely a repeat of 2012.

Again this past year, Commissioner Jim Eckstein was the eye of the storm.

It’s natural and expected that Eckstein, as the Democratic minority commissioner, objects frequently and energetically against the actions of Republican majority commissioners Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton. After all, there are residents who share at least some of Eckstein’s views.

For example:

• There’s no telling how many constituents — including Democratic leaders — who agree with Eckstein that the county should hang onto the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, rather than privatize it.

• Eckstein is not alone in his contention that the county could use an existing structure, such as the former Pullman Standard building, rather than build a new annex for the county administration building.

• There’s merit in Eckstein’s opposition to a flat 3 percent pay increase for all 178 nonunion employees — and his belief that county workers should contribute more for their health care.

All are creditable points of view, worthy of consideration in an open debate. All were potential ammunition in negotiations toward compromises that might satisfy those who share Eckstein’s point of view.

Unfortunately, that’s not what happened, and such scenarios aren’t likely to happen, either.

Given the animosity between the commissioners, Pinkerton and McCarrier consistently take the easy route — outvoting Eckstein two-to-one. But who can blame them? McCarrier and Pinkerton have no duty to concede anything to Eckstein, especially when Eckstein insists on slander and personal attacks while failing to clearly communicate his ideas, concerns and opposition views.

As a result, the privatization of Sunnyview will come about without Eckstein’s taking advantage of the opportunity to incorporate better terms for union employees involved in the deal; the annex will be built without Eckstein weighing in on details that might lower the cost or improve the structure; and all but a handful of the county’s nonunion workers face the coming year without any raise.

That Jan. 1 editorial quoted McCarrier and Pinkerton saying they’re willing to compromise and negotiate with anyone for the sake of better county government; it also noted Eckstein’s refusal to pledge an effort to work more harmoniously with Pinkerton, McCarrier and other county officials.

The editorial further noted: “Eckstein’s honesty hasn’t been at question in most of the issues ... but the abrasive manner in which he voiced many of his comments certainly left much to be desired in the eyes of most county residents.”

That hasn’t changed much, either.

For many years, counties in Pennsylvania have relied on three-member boards of commissioners who have operated productively and with civility. Minority commissioners have worked to maintain an air of respectability — and relevance — on behalf of their political party.

If Butler County were to make strides to return to that model, it would be an improvement — and a welcome subject for a year-end editorial in December 2014.