Washington County commissioners
• Date: Jan. 3
• Action: The commissioners renewed their contract with county solicitor, the firm of Goldfarb, Posner, Beck, DeHaven & Drewitz, for another year, granting the lawyers a 3 percent raise and bringing the yearly total to $119,405.
The board entered into a $32,250 contract with the firm HRG Inc. for design of a new horse barn at the Washington County fairgrounds and a parking area.
At the request of Recorder of Deeds Debbie Bardella, the commissioners approved the appointment of Blane Black as office solicitor, replacing James Jeffries at an amount not to exceed $2,400 per year.
Attorney Mary R. Bates is replacing Jeffrey Watson as the attorney representing criminal defendants in cases where the court determines there is a conflict of interest because a co-defendant is represented by the public defender. Her fee will not exceed $25,000 this year.
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will provide tour guides for the Washington County Courthouse this year at a cost not to exceed $4,000.
• Appointments: Commission Chairman Larry Maggi, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, three-year term; Ken Kulak, county planning commission, two-year term, replacing the late Ernie Watson.
• Next meeting: The board has scheduled its annual salary board reorganization for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7. Its next regular meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. Venue for both is the public meeting room of Courthouse Square office building.