(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

At a relatively quick work session on Wednesday, the Beaver County Commissioners were in discussions with department heads on two main subjects: construction at the County Courthouse and the future funding for the County’s 911 operations.

Public Works director Dan Colville updated the Commissioners that the outdoor construction near the front of the courthouse may be completed sooner than expected. “They’re gonna attempt to get this entire project done,” he spoke. “Instead of waiting until the spring, they’re gonna try and get this all done, and they are anticipating–with good weather–that they’ll be done by next Friday.”

Colville also stated that the back steps on the Courthouse that are currently being worked on should also be completed by the end of the month.

Another department head, Eric Brewer of Emergency Management Services, made a plea to the Commissioners to “call our Senators” in regards to an upcoming vote on a PA State House Bill (HB 1304) that would increase the surcharge rate from $1.65 to $1.97 in order to fund the 911 centers across Pennsylvania.

“I’m not sure if it’s going to benefit me to go to Harrisburg and knock on doors if nobody’s going to be there,” Brewer stated, adding that one reason that there is a struggle for support of a surcharge raise is “political”, since the initial proposal for the surcharge raise came from Governor Josh Shapiro.

The next work session for the Beaver County Commissioners is scheduled for December 13 at 10:00 AM.