Northampton County Controller's Office recently audited the finances of the Conservation District for calendar year 2017. Lead auditor Kathleen A. Kuzma issued what might be called a "clean audit," meaning there are no material weaknesses or deficiencies in internal control.
Northampton County Conservation District's main goals are to promote soil conservation, maintain or improve water quality and promote environmental education. To achieve these goals, the Conservation District reviews erosion and sediment pollution control plans.
In 2017, the Conservation District took in $896,825 from the various programs it administers, and spent $748,561. Most of the money comes from subdivision plan review fees.
Those fees appear to mirror roughly the local economy. As you can see below, they declined sharply in 2007 and remained that way until 2011. In 2012, they began increasing again, though they declined slightly last year.
2005 - 239,323
2006 - 320,254
2007 - 220,106
2008 - 195,333
2009 - 168,939
2010 - 191,180
2011 - 162,499
2012 - 284,805
2013 - 364,765
2014 - 377,488
2015 - 277,477
2016 - 427,787
2017 - 384,946
Kuzma states these subdivision plan review fees may indicate a growth in building. But she warns other factors should be considered. Fee increases were approved just a few years ago by County Council, and expedited reviews have additional fees.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Tuesday, September 04, 2018
15 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
In some counties, I am told a fast track plan review could take 7 months.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone explain to me why it takes months for plan review? How long does it take people to read a plan , offer feedback, read addendum to the plan and approve a plan.
How is it permissible to allow a continuous running portable generator without containment to sit adjacent to a creek bank for weeks without a concern, but will cry Noah's Flood over short term minor soil enhancments.
Bernie did the supply you with the increased costs they are charging since 05? That tells another story
ReplyDeleteThey are the slowest in the state, followed closely by Lehigh. They are uncooperative and inefficient. They pride themselves in denying plans and writing lenghty comment letters with no substance. They can do the same job in half the time for half the budget.
ReplyDelete"How is it permissible to allow a continuous running portable generator without containment to sit adjacent to a creek bank for weeks without a concern, but will cry Noah's Flood over short term minor soil enhancments."
ReplyDeleteTell me where this is.
WTF is a "short term minor soil enhancement?" I don't believe that's even a thing.
Delete"Bernie did the supply you with the increased costs they are charging since 05?"
ReplyDeleteThe fee increases are more recent. They are approved by county council and were justified. I believe the vote was unanimous.
They are all SLOUGHS that work there. Pitiful do nothings that are not friendly at all and should not be serving the public.
ReplyDeleteSeveral years back when digitial billboards went up practically overnight, a generator was staged in a fenced-in cage adjacent to Jordon Creek at Jordon Park. Eventuallly,the billboard was hooked up to overhead power but I was surprised that this was allowed given close proximity to the creek. This caught my attention as the first advertisment was the Mayor welcoming folks to Allentown.
ReplyDeleteThat’s Lehigh County. You condemn NorCo for something in another county.
ReplyDeleteI should have been more specific. Yes, Lehigh County.
ReplyDeleteOk. I have sent an email to NorCo’s Director about this. She probably thinks I’m nuts. lol I better clarify.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, this would be something the conservation district had nothing to do with (unless topsoil was stripped off to make a pad for the generator ).
DeleteThere is zero reason plan reviews should take months. If they are overwhelmed then the district should hire an independent engineering firm to do reviews when needed. This is the shit that is absolutely ridiculous in this day and age. I have been in building and development my entire career and have been witness to this. This is one agency that, while it is needed, needs to be more accountable or needs more oversight.
ReplyDeleteDoes it actually take that long to review plans, or are we basing these assumptions off of 5:39's assertion that fast track reviews "in some counties" take 7 months?
ReplyDeleteI googled the district's fast track review policy and it looks like, according to that, they are to get a plan processed and reviewed, worst case scenario, in about 20-30 days depending on the size of the site:
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CTYADMN/CONSVC/Documents/Expedited%20Review%20Policy%202018.pdf
As has been explained to me as well, some of the plans/permits require PADEP to get involved, which...lets just say can probably extend the timeline.
I am laughing at 5:43's attempt to defend them. He has no clue and has obviously never had to deal with them.
ReplyDelete