In light of the lengthy state budget impasse, Schuylkill County Commissioners have approved a pair of short-term loans to help several agencies stay afloat.

This week county commissioners agreed to take cash advances from the general fund in the amount of $665,000 to the Children and Youth Agency, and $160,000 to the Office of Senior Services.County Director of Finance Paul Buber said the cash flow for both agencies continues to be squeezed to the point they will need additional financial assistance so they can continue to operate and provide essential services to qualified residents of the county.Buber said that for this month, both agencies need additional funding to meet payroll and pay other critical operating expenses.Buber said that as of Oct. 31, the county owed service providers a total of $6,369,575, while numbers for the month of November are still being compiled.In addition, he said that after factoring in the above cash advances, the general fund has extended loans of $1.613 million to the agencies.