Layoffs possible to close Beaver's $1.4M budget gap

Beaver County is considering laying off employees to bridge a $1.4 million gap in its 2009 budget.

Furthermore, county Commissioner Charlie Camp said the county will examine whether it can continue to provide some services that aren't required by law. Fifteen of a possible 86 workers have accepted an early retirement offer from the county, which will save about $500,000. But officials had hoped more employees would take advantage of the offer.

Camp said the county doesn't want to raise taxes for what would be the second straight year.

Commissioners will vote on the $277 million preliminary budget on Tuesday.