A new centralized purchasing concept – which Carbon County officials hope will save over $100,000 for the county’s general fund – was explained to the county’s department heads this morning during a conference held in the conference room of the courthouse annex in Jim Thorpe.

The county commissioners are expected to secure the services of William Irish, Northampton County’s purchasing director, who will help newly-appointed county purchasing manager Deborah O’Brien of Palmerton implement the changes in the purchase.

Commissioners chairman Dean D.W. DeLong said this week it is anticipated the equivalent of one mil, about $157,000, can be saved under the new program.