BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — The Beaver County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine agenda items during its Jan. 19 public meeting and heard a public comment about county staffing levels.

The board voted to approve minutes from Dec. 12, 2024, Dec. 11, 2024 (work session), and Dec. 18, 2024 (work session); to accept bill payments presented by the controller; and to approve the human resources personnel report (Attachment A), bid-opening minutes (Attachment B) and appointments listed in Attachment C. The appointments listed in Attachment C are to the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission for two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and expiring Dec. 31, 2026. County legal staff told the board that Resolutions 010925-01 through 010925-21 had been reviewed by the law department and recommended for approval; the board approved those resolutions on the solicitor's recommendation.

Why it matters: The votes completed routine administrative business that keeps the county’s operations, procurement and intergovernmental representation moving forward. A visitor’s comment on hiring highlighted county workforce pressures — particularly in corrections — that could influence future budget or staffing discussions.

During the public-comment period, visitor Mr. Wooley questioned whether recent hiring was being managed within budget. “I’m not sure how we keep our budget in line when we sign on 15 people ... Isn’t that a relatively high level for employees?” he asked. County Controller Longbow responded that most of the recent hires filled previously vacant positions and that the county has experienced high turnover in some departments. “We have about a 50% turnover with our corrections officers,” Longbow said, adding that only two of the 15 hires were newly created positions in the last two months and that the remainder were filling existing vacancies.

The meeting record shows the board approved all items by voice vote; no roll-call tallies or individual votes were recorded in the public transcript. Several routine motions were made and seconded with the board signaling approval by saying “aye.”

The meeting also included administrative announcements: staff noted the county offices would be closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the next public meeting date was announced by the presiding official.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes, Dec. 12, 2024 (public meeting): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve minutes, Dec. 11, 2024 (work session): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve minutes, Dec. 18, 2024 (work session): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve bills presented by the controller: approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve Human Resources personnel report (Attachment A): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve bid-opening minutes (Attachment B): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Appoint individuals listed in Attachment C to the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission for two-year terms (Jan. 1, 2025–Dec. 31, 2026): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).
- Approve Resolutions 010925-01 through 010925-21 (law department recommended approval): approved (motion made and seconded; voice vote).

The board adjourned after the scheduled business and announcements.