CRANBERRY TWP — The Butler County commissioners say change is good — as long as it's properly planned.

The commissioners presented this message at a session Wednesday sponsored by the legislative action committee of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.

Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman, stressed the new board is assessing the county government before making major changes.

“It's real easy to come in and make quick decisions,” she said.

But Osche said the board wants to be informed, then assess each situation before acting.

Commissioner Kim Geyer said an initial goal is to improve the county's fiscal situation.

“We have to get our budget in order,” Geyer said. “We have to get our house in order.”

The commissioners earlier this year set a goal to cut $5 million from expenses.

Row offices and departments already are cutting items from their budgets.

Osche said the commissioners would review the county's progress once the first quarter ends.

“It will be time for us to sit down and look at that,” she said.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel said the first three months of the board's term consisted of management.

“Plugging holes and keeping us afloat,” Boozel said. “We're just starting to turn.”

The board's agenda includes implementing more technology in county government.

“We've seen where the county has not invested in technology where they should have in the past,” Osche said.

Boozel noted one department was affected by the retirement of a worker who knew how to repair typewriters because the department still used those machines.

Among those who asked the commissioners questions was Dave Dorko of the Indspec Chemical, who asked about county borrowing in lieu of stalled state funding.

Osche said payments to human services providers have been delayed by those funding issues.

The commissioners are working with the county controller's office to keep track of the cash flow to ensure they don't run out of money.

Boozel pointed out tax anticipation notes have to be repaid, so any remaining funding problems then would have ripple effects.

“We have some very tough decisions to make,” he said.

Geyer said if another state budget impasse occurs, some providers would go out of business and school districts also would be impacted.

She cited the recent layoff of teachers in the Penn Hills School District in Allegheny County as an example of what could happen.

Cranberry Councilman Bruce Mazzoni asked if the board was considering an eventual property tax reassessment.

“You're at the cap,” Mazzoni said, referring to the state limit on tax millage until a county must reassess.

Osche confirmed it would be a consideration during her tenure.

“Nobody wants to hear reassessment,” she said. “We understand that.”

Geyer pointed out the groundwork would have to be laid ahead of time for a reassessment because of its estimated $8 million to $10 million cost.

Boozel said the commissioners plan to fill a few key vacant posts, including the chief clerk, in coming months.

He reiterated the board is using a more comprehensive process in hiring as well rather than making immediate appointments.

Boozel said the commissioners rewrote the job description for the chief clerk post, which is temporarily filled by an interim administrator, to ensure they do what's best for the county.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, who attended the event, said in an interview that the commissioners are taking the right tack by seeking input and being collaborative.

“I'm very impressed,” he said.

Hutchinson said the board faces a similar situation that he did when first coming into office: not maintaining the status quo just because that's the way it was always done.

However, he said there is a learning curve once a new government official gets a new perspective by seeing how things work on the inside.

Osche said the commissioners will continue emphasizing collaboration to address all the issues facing the county.

“Building relationships with all people in the county,” she said.

Boozel agreed: “Being able to work together is crucial.”

Osche said the collaboration extends to the community as well.

She recalled a bank employee concerned about the county's fiscal woes calling to offer ideas, so she offered him a role in an ad hoc committee of residents and business people giving input.

Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, also said the commissioners are moving in the right direction.

“I'm pleased with the new board,” he said.