BEDFORD — The Bedford County commissioners on Tuesday approved a revision to the 2018 county budget to accurately reflect anticipated taxes for the year, bumping the amount expected up $200,000.

The total revenue and expenditures for the county will increase from the originally listed amount of $19,911,602 to $20,111,602 with a tax anticipation of $1,700,000.

During the budget discussion, a meeting attendee asked the board, “How will the St. Thomas school building be added to the tax rolls once the school is closed?”

Amy Higgins, the principal of the only Catholic school in Bedford, confirmed the school’s closure last Friday, to the chagrin of numerous parents of St. Thomas School students.

Josh Lang, commissioner chair, said how the church building will be taxed is yet to be determined. “We haven’t had a chance to discuss that,” he said. “As the news just came out about that; we’ll have to discuss that at one point I’m sure.”

Commissioner secretary S. Paul Crooks said, “It’ll depend a lot on what it’ll be used for.” Some churches are taxed, and some are not depending on the use of the building, according to Crooks.

The Rev. Richard Tomkosky of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish could not be reached for comment about the parish’s intentions after the school closes.

The commissioners also approved the hiring of Brittany Norris as a full-time correctional officer effective Jan. 15 and replacement hires of Michael Jones Jr., Brandon Lasure, John Cirko Jr. and Michael Haluska as part-time correctional officers at the Bedford County Correctional Facility.

A total of $611 was approved by the board to cover the safety inspections for two bridges in East St. Clair Township.

Mirror Staff Writer Shen Wu Tan is at 946-7457.