Schuylkill County Commissioners approved a consulting contract with two former state representatives Wednesday.

Commissioners Gary Hess and Barron “Boots” Hetherington voted for a $5,000-a-month contract for Allen-Goodman & Associates Ltd. beginning Feb. 1 until Jan. 31, 2022. Former state Reps. Robert Allen and Neal Goodman work at the firm.

Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. did not attend the meeting.

“There are some major projects that are going to be faced by our county coming up in the near future and the distant future,” Hetherington said.

He said the men can secure both state and federal funding to pay for expensive projects.

“The only other option is to raise taxes. It would be a huge, huge, huge burdensome situations,” Hetherington said.

Hess agreed employing their services can be beneficial and potentially “help Schuylkill County move forward into the future.”

Hess said the projects have been on hold because of lack of funding availability.

Dredging Sweet Arrow Lake, enhancing the airport facilities, deciding on a prerelease center for nonviolent offenders to obtain treatment for those with alcohol or mental health concerns and expanding broadband access are among the possible projects.