For the third time since taking office as Northampton County Executive, Lamont McClure has proposed a budget that holds the line on real estate taxes. His $440 million spending plan for next year, which he introduced on October 2, is 11% lower than this year's budget. It keeps the tax rate at 11.8 mills, where it's been for the past seven years. A home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill next year for $885. The budget is also balanced.
This budget will be reviewed by County Council in a series of five budget hearings. Council can accept the budget as proposed, make changes or reject it. In an oddity of the county's home rule charter, a thumbs down would mean the spending plan as proposed would go into effect automatically.
The biggest impact on the current year's spending plan is something no one even considered when it was adopted. That was the Covid-19 pandemic. Northampton County suddenly found itself the custodian of $27.6 million in CARES Act money to distribute to other municipalities, nonprofits, school districts and small businesses hit hard by an economic shutdown. Over the past few months, Northampton County has distributed most of this money, which includes $8.6 million to nearly 700 small businesses in the form of $15,000 grants. Whether the County is tasked again with distributing more relief depends on Congress.
McClure's spending plan includes a $3 million commitment to fund open space. This is accomplished by purchasing conservation easements under which farmers agree to never develop their land. In addition, the county purchases environmentally sensitive land and both creates and maintains parks. In his budget message, McClure states his object is to both preserve green space and limit warehouse proliferation.
In past years, Gracedale has often required a county contribution to stay afloat. The county's nursing home is the largest in the state. But no county contribution is needed this year and none is projected for 2021. McClure said his budget will continue with technology and automation improvements at the home designed to counter the impact of Covid-19.
The proposed budget also calls for a crosswalk to a newly constructed parking lot across the street from the courthouse; finishing touches to a state-of the-art forensic center in Upper Nazareth Tp; and funding for recent election changes mandated by the state.
9 comments:
He should thank John Brown and the last council for giving him the huge tax increase that allows him to feed off of the massive surplus. How about a tax cut?
Unless the crosswalk is UP and OVER the street, the crosswalk is still unsafe. Thus, it is not "state of the art." Only a matter of time until the next person is hurt.
Wait until after the next executive election. $$$$$$
He referred to the forensic facility as "state of the art," not the crosswalk.
The crosswalk will be as safe as it can be. It is in the middle of a block, just like numerous crosswalks throughout the LV, including NCCC and Moravian. Measures are taken to make these safe. An Easton police LT should not dictate county or PennDOT policy.
Barron hid away all the excess cash in the budget. Of course County Council will not be allowed to ask any tough questions. Why do you even bother. Hope you are paid well.
McClure referred to the crosswalk as "state of the art" during Council meetings.
McClure owes his no tax increase budgets to John Brown and balancing his budgets by screwing the employees. He is a hypocrite who does not deserve re-election. You can't brag about how your employees are your greatest asset and then not pay them what they deserve. Shame on him.
Why is Norco's millage at 11.8 and neighboring Lehigh County with 30, 000 less people and 700 more employees, only at 5.2 mills, less than half of Norco, but they seem to thrive financially well, even giving a tax break a few years ago. A lot of wasteful spending in this County, that's why!
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