JOHNSTOWN – Cambria County commissioners approved their fourth budget in a row without a tax increase at a Thursday evening meeting at Conemaugh Valley Elementary School.

Although there will be some number tweaking before the budget is finalized, the general fund was approved at just shy of $64 million. Last year’s general fund budget was about $60 million.

President Commission Douglas Lengenfelder said that, while officials have had to tighten their belts more in recent years, “the county has not cut a single service out there.”

County Controller Ed Cernic Jr., who was critical of the 2014 budget – mostly because of an accompanying loan – declined to comment on the proposed 2015 budget, saying there were too many numbers that will change before its final passage.

He did say, however, that the county is likely to face the same issues of unpaid bills next month. Lengenfelder agreed that “cash flow is every bit as tight this year as it was last year.”

One budget highlight, however, was an anticipated $700,000 decrease for the county’s health care budget. Human Resources Director Bryan Beppler attributed the 7 percent decrease in part to Cambria’s decision a few years ago to self insure.

“That’s pretty impressive,” Commissioner Mark Wissinger said, noting that most people see health care costs go up annually, not down.

Commissioners also hired Altoona business owner James Bonini, 50, a Cambria County native, as full-time chief clerk and county manager at a $60,000 salary.

Bonini will replace Steve Ettien, who stepped down from the position in September.

Bonini grew up in Ebensburg and graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.

He worked previously as a court administrator in Montgomery and Berks counties before working for a U.S. bankruptcy court.

Three years ago, he said, he was given the opportunity to buy Robert’s Beverage in Altoona, allowing him to return to his hometown with his wife, Stacey, and three children.

“I’ve always liked public service,” he said.

Commissioners also approved emergency heating work to be completed at Cambria County Prison to repair seven pumps in the prison’s geothermal system have failed and left portions of the prison chilly, Lengenfelder said.

The cost is not to exceed $20,000.

Mirror Staff Writer Kelly Cernetich is at 946-7520.