For the first time in about seven years, Schuylkill County retirees may stand a chance of receiving a cost-of-living increase.

At a public meeting Wednesday evening, Schuylkill Retirees Association treasurer Louise Howells asked county commissioners for the boost.Howells mentioned House Bill 1078, pending legislation that would amend the county pension law to relieve counties from having to calculate cost-of-living increases retroactively to the last one.The bill, supported by state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29; Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18; and Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, is currently in committee.Until the bill becomes law, any increases would have to include the past years."If we do give a cost-of-living (increase), we'd have to go back and give it for every single solitary year," said Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr.He said he appreciated that the association considered that."I give the retirees credit from that standpoint," he said."Since the retirement fund is doing so well, we request that after you receive the Hay Group's actuarial report, you give serious consideration to this much-needed cost-of-living request for the retirees, to be effective immediately," Howells said."We're glad to see Senate Bill 1078 moving. I know it's not moving as fast as we'd all like to see it, but we will give it serious consideration," said Commissioners Chairman Frank J. StaudenmeierThe fund as of Wednesday morning stood at $121.5 million. That's up from about $70 million in 2007.Retirees had received increases in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.Howells spoke at one of two evening meetings commissioners scheduled for this year. The other one will be held in October.In other matters, commissioners awarded demolition jobs in Ashland, Girardville and Frailey Township to the lowest bidder, Affordable Construction & Demolition of Coal Township.The Ashland work will tear down a building at 911 Brock St. for $12,940; the Girardville projects will demolish buildings at 106, 108, 112 and 116 Main Street for $52,550. The Frailey Township job is to raze a building at 0 Cedar Alley for $7,500.Commissioners also approved the hiring of 14 "rovers" at $10 an hour to help with the May 20 primary election. They will also be paid 56 cents a mile.Also on Wednesday, commissioners heard from Larry Padora of New Ringgold, who asked for information about the cost of renovations to the former Schoeneman building in Pottsville. The county bought the building and two parking lots last May for about $740,000. The vote to make the purchase was split, with Republican commissioners Staudenmeier and Halcovage in favor and Democratic Commissioner Gary J. Hess opposed.Staudenmeier advised Padora to contact county administrator Mark Scarbinsky for the information.Padora, a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for a commissioner's seat in 2011 and for state representative of the 124th district, a seat held by Jerry Knowles, in 2012.Ron Boltz of Pine Grove asked commissioners to work to repeal a state law that allows public employee unions to negotiate into contracts having local governments collect dues and fees on their behalf.Commissioners on Feb. 26 adopted a resolution, with Hess opposed, to support what is known as the "paycheck protection act" to repeal the law.Support for repeal of the law is sharply divided along party lines.