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Friday, December 02, 2022

NorCo Council Adopts 2023 Budget That Holds The Line on Taxes

If you own a home in Northampton County assessed at $75,000, your 2023 county tax bill will be $810. Two years ago, that same home would have cost you $885 tax bill. At a time when inflation has skyrocketed 7.7%, the 2023 Budget adopted by Northampton County Council last night should be welcome news. 

The $544.8 million spending for next year plan is actually 4.5% smaller than it was in 2022. It follows what Executive Lamont McClure told Council was 14 hours of hearings. He said that, despite disagreements over some aspects of the budget, it's "another no tax increase budget, a credit to us all," He stressed that the spending plan will fully fund a green future, open space and environmentally sensitive land. He concluded the "overarching theme is working together and fully funding core responsibilities."

During courtesy of the floor, Council heard from three entities that would be impacted, positively or negatively, by how Council would vote. 

Bruce Haines, managing partner of Historic Hotel Bethlehem. was lead-off hitter. there because Council was considering a request for $75,000 to promote the tourist agenda for historic Bethlehem. Through pass through grants from the Chamber of Commerce, historic Bethlehem has already received $185,00 to market the hotels, family-owned shops and restaurants along Main Street. He said they are under assault by Amazon and warehouses. He requested $75,000 in June and a county  committee recommended only $12,500, not enough to buy even one ad in marketing magazines. He wants $62,500. 

Kurt Landes, who lives in Nazareth. is President of the Iron Pigs and was second in the line-up. He was there because, as Council President Lori Vargo Heffner threatened two days earlier, they were about to get a "haircut" of the hotel taxes set aside for the Iron Pigs. He asked Council to fully fund the grant. He called Coca Cola Park a "regional asset" that "needs the full support of the Lehigh Valley. Of 700 people employed by the Iron Pigs, 44% come from NorCo. Of 8 million fans who have visited Coca Cola Park over 14 years, 41% from NorCo.  The Iron Pigs is one of the top five drawing teams., but provides "affordable family entertainment,"  Of 30 teams, the Iron Pigs ranks 27 of 30 in costs for a family of four. "Baseball is a very small part of what we do," he observed. Coca Cola Park hosts 119 events a year, in addition to 75 season games. Iron Pigs Charities has given back $2 million over 14 years. mostly to youth organization and for kids who are differently abled. 

Rick Molchany, a NorCo resident is Lehigh County's Director of General Services. He was the third hitter. He noted Lehigh County, which owns CocaCola Park, makes no profit. "People don't come here because we have a good jail; they come for quality of life." He conceded Allentown elected not to fund the Iron Pigs, but has assumed social services enabling Lehigh County to reduce its spending there by $1.5 million.  He said Lehigh County has helped fund Artsquest, State Theatre and even to Northampton County Historical Museum. He said the counties should work together to improve quality of life and called Artsquest an  incredible regional asset,

Bath Mayor Fiorella-Mirabito was the clean-ip hitter. She asked the County to consider a $50,000 grant for a park master plan. "We can't do anything without a master plan," she said. "We're growing but we need help." 

Following courtesy of the floor and a brief report from the Executive, Council got down to business. 

In personnel matters, a raise for the Deputy Director of Administration was approved by 5-4 vote, strictly along party lines. Council member John Cusick said he was unable to support a $10,000 raise for a "political hire."  

They unanimously approved a payhike for the Clerk to $118,000 and Deputy to $61,000. Council member Tara Zrinski said there should be more parity. Council member Ron Heckman retorted that's the reason for a pay study. 

Other career service (nonunion) workers are getting a 3% cost of living adjustment.. Last year, they received a step, which is about 5%. Administration officials previously explained that the raises were kept at 3% to maintain parity with the county's union workforce.  Heckman said that what drives employees crazy is that the county got away from using step increases in any systematic way. "I just don't see the purpose of the steps any more."  Cusick observed that steps should be awarded as persons progress over their career. He also said that the 3% fails to keep pace with inflation. He made no motion to increase it. 

The first budget amendment proposed was a reduction of  $1,147,000 from a $1.5 million loan agreement with New England Hydropower Company for a small hydropower plant along the Delaware and Lehigh Canal at Easton's Hugh Moore Park. This project, first approved in 2018, would generate enough power for 500 homes, but the plan is to sell the energy to a local college. 

Zrinski called the measure irresponsible. Council member Kerry Myers said he just learned that day that the hydropower plant is educational. Council member Kevin Lott observed that this is not corporate welfare, but a loan. There is also a dry dock and it will keep the canal going for 75 years.

Cusick said the money would be better spent on farmland preservation, affordable housing and repayment of student loans. He said this project would be better undertaken by the Industrial Development Authority.  

Heckman argued the hydropower project was valuable and it is a loan, not a grant. He said he'd be willing to give New England Hydropower one more year "to get off the stick." 

At this point, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner sought an amendment that would just eliminate $647,000 from the New England Hydropower loan inasmuch as farmland preservation is fully funded. this year 

Lott complained that Cusick has provided no detailed plan for paying off student loans. Cusick agreed he has no specifics, but argued the money must be there first. Then Lott noted that Cusick is being inconsistent because he opposes funding a health center without more detail. "You can't have it both ways, John," he said. 

Council member John Brown said that Cusick's proposal will attract and retain employees. 

By a 5-4 vote, Council voted to remove $647,000 from the New England Hydropower loan and use that money to fund student loans and affordable housing. Council Members Lori Vargo Heffner, Tom Giovanni, John Brown, John Cusick and John Goffredo voted Yes. Council members Tara Zrinski, Kevin Lott, Ron Heckman and Kerry Myers voted against defunding.

The second budget amendment considered was the removal of $50,000 from Iron Pigs for future grants. This motion failed 7-2.  Cusick and Goffredo were the dissenters.  

The third budget amendment was removing $100,000 from elections funding to help fund student loans.

"So we're voting to defund elections?" asked Zrinski. "Just to make that clear."

Cusick argued that a state grant for the conduct of elections could be diverted and that is what he's been told by a state county organization. Administrator Charles Dertinger responded that there are limitations on how the money can be spent. He said that it even proscribes payments  to elections workers. "We're not imagining that we have this money,"  he remarked. The county has received $1.1 million for elections expenses, but it is considered deferred revenue because it's unclear how it can be spent. . 

This budget amendment failed by a 5-4 vote. Voting to defund elections by $100,000 were Vargo Heffner, John Cusick, Tom Giovanni and John Brown. Voting No to defund elections were John Goffredo, Tara Zrinski, Kevin Lott, Kerry Myers and Ron Heckman. 

The fourth budget amendment was the removal of $5,000 from Iron Pigs for Touchstone Theatre and Godfrey Daniels. This was proposed by Vargo-Heffner even tough both Touchstone and Godfrey Daniel were already awarded exactly what they sought. Ron Heckman said Council members have a "time honored right to give a few dollars here and there to charities op their choice." This passed 7-2, with No votes from Zrinski and Lott. 

The fifth budget amendment was the removal of $20,000 from Iron Pigs for Bath's park plan.  Myers said that amendment would still fund both entities.  This amendment passed 7-2, with No votes from Zrinski and Lott. 

The sixth budget amendment removes $50,000 from Iron Pigs and places it in future grants. This leaves the Iron Pigs with $100,000.

This passed 8-1, with Kevin Lott being the sole dissenter.  

The seventh budget amendment takes $62,500 from future grants and awards it to the Chamber for the benefit of historic Bethlehem tourism. DCED Director Tina Smith advised Council that the $75,000 ask was reduced because there already are numerous websites and promotions of tourism in Bethlehem. The City of Bethlehem itself has provided no funding. Historic Hotel Bethlehem's Bruce Haines conceded he never approached other businesses because they are all mom 'n pop shops.  

Council member John Goffredo said this will help the entire region, including the county.  

This passed unanimously. 

All budget amendments were then adopted unanimously, along with the budget itself. The capital  improvements plan was also adopted unanimously. 

The real estate tax millage rate is 10.8 mills. 

Although a half billion dollar budget is a lot of money, only 18% comes from real estate taxes. Over half comes from the state and federal government as pass-through money to fund various county human services programs. And 20% comes from the county's fund balance, which is basically the equivalent of a family's checking account.

Gracedale, the county-owned nursing home, requires no county contribution. It has a separate budget of $103 million. 

The county's fund balance hovers at around $60 million, is far too high. The spending plan has set aside $17 million as a stabilization fund, which you could call a "rainy day " fund. This includes two months of expenses. Finally, about $6 million has been set aside for a possible resurgence of COVID-19.

In other business, County Council next considered a proposed ordinance that essentially kills an exclusive and voluntary health center for county employees. During the hearing, McClure read a letter from AFSCME supporting the health center. 

Heckman said he agrees with some of McClure's comments. He agreed that Council is unable to force employees into a survey. "I'm not against this," he said of the health center. "I don't have enough information."  

Goffredo, who sponsored the ordinance, argued there's no competition. He said he sent a two-three page email to Integrity, and got no direct answers. "I'm very reluctant about a health center or a health department." 

John Brown said he appreciates what the Executive is going through as far as rising health costs are concerned.  He imposed a 10% co-pay when he was Executive. He suggested that very shortly, $40 million of $100 million collected in taxes will go to health care. He has a few problems with the proposed health center. He indicated that 40% of what Integrity does is already being done. "There's more work that needs to be done," he said. He indicated that a health center might save money, but not enough over the long term. He speculated that the program will probably become mandatory at some point. He does believe in actively speaking with Integrity. 

Myers stated that he's concerned about the lack of competition. "We don't need to vote on this thing tonight. ... I personally would like to table this thing. "  Lott  seconded the motion to table, but not before Vargo-Heffner interjected herself to claim more time is needed to review the idea. . Then the ordinance was adopted 5-2, with 2 abstentions.  The two No votes came from Zrinski and Lott. The two abstentions came from  Myers and Heckman.

Although generally pleased with the Budget, McClure has promised a veto of the reduction of the loan to New England Hydropower. And he will also veto the Ordinance that attempts to kill a health center before it is vetted. 

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very cool that Becky got a 16% raise. She will be very happy with that decision once someone explains it to her.

Anonymous said...

Sounds confusing as hell. Was told Hefner was all over the place.

Anonymous said...

Please don't taze me, bro!

Anonymous said...

BernieOHare, I’ve never seen a budget adoption that wasn’t “confusing as hell.” I do think Vargo Heffner did a good job running the meeting. I do question her friendly amendment to Cusick’s hydropower motion. That seemed pre-planned. I also question her interjection after Myers made a motion to table the health center ordinance without waiting for a second, but that came at the end of a long meeting and it’s possible she just forgot herself. Overall, I’d say she did an excellent job running a long meeting. I disagree with many of her votes and also am getting tired of her attempts to draw out some matters. I get not being ready for a health center vote but that was no need for an ordinance that attempted to kill it.

Anonymous said...

No one cares about Zirinskis screw, but the Health Department is still a strong possibility. It sounded like council is very close to a majority yes, why would McClure stir up trouble with a veto. The ordinance doesn't put an end to anything. Why kick county council in the face now and force another vote. Also, if he vetoes the screw plant stuff council will probably override his veto to make a point.

peterjcochran said...

Political hires are partly the reason for a possible lackluster talent pool in all capacities. I believe most people perceive that their chances of hire without an inside push is futile. Ask ,if someone didn’t come to work for 3 months,would anything change?

Anonymous said...

all the money availiable to th fuckin pigs a you people give them ur money how fucking stupid are you pussies!!!!! there are homeless people all over the county not th mention the people who can;t affoed rent ,food, etc....and here you assholes are giving billionares money ...where are your heads besides up your asses!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad. Last thing I need is to get tazed more often.

Anonymous said...

Lol!!!

Anonymous said...

More money to the iron pigs' taxpayers robbed by major leagues Politicians are leading this country to as if we have money for everybody including the rich.

Anonymous said...

Giving any raise to the County Council clerk is absolutely a CRIME. She already makes an amount she should even get after 40 years there. Council is also WASTING TAXPAYER money. Get rid of those positions! Those salaries are a DISGRACE to all the hardworking employees. This is an exact example why you have a hard time getting and keeping people. Northampton County Administration and Council need a house cleaning!

Anonymous said...

The non-union 3% raise in a year where inflation is 8% really hurts. Yes there was a 5% step in 2021, but inflation that year was +7%...I understand the concern about taxpayer money, but these jobs that require professional standards need to be able to support families. I've had to get a second job, and so have a couple coworkers. Others are either childless with a working spouse, or are "retired", with a pension from a previous job, and are basically working for extra cash.

I have seriously considered giving up public service and going to drive a forklift. Unfortunately it pays more. There's no opportunity within the system to work harder to gain extra income.

Anonymous said...

(d) Executive Veto. The County Executive shall have the
power by veto to delete or decrease any item in the budget adopted
by the County Council, if he notifies the County Council in writing
within seven (7) days after the adoption of the budget by the
County Council of the veto and the reasons for it.

The HRC doesn't allow for a veto to add funding back to the budget adopted by Council. However, he could cut the funding that was allocated for affordable housing and employee student loans.

Anonymous said...

I don't want my tax money paying for employees student loans! If they have all this money to toss around lower the taxes

Anonymous said...

You really think us taxpayers are that stupid? You can't have a no increase tax budget for ten years in a row unless your tax base has risen tremendously or you receive tens of millions of dollars from outside sources i.e. Federal or state government. The other option is we have been overtaxed from the start and that is the case here. John Brown deserves the credit for these no tax increase budgets because we were over taxed when we was the Executive. McClure is riding his glory train. If McClure really did his job he could have cut the budget by another forty million dollars. What a bunch of saps.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I think more TAZES are necessary in all government entities!! True dat!

Anonymous said...

You are a great proponent of misinformation because you only publish stuff that fits your bill.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"You are a great proponent of misinformation because you only publish stuff that fits your bill."

I covered the budget and health center ordinance adoptions accurately. If I got any fact wrong, please point out where and I will be happy to correct my error. If you are trying to say I omitted something, please state what I omitted. This is a fairly exhaustive story. I did my best to present all the competing arguments made. As some of you have noticed, I did misspell "taxes" as "tazes." I was wondering why someone said, "Don't taze me," lol. That's a typo, not misinformation.

Anonymous said...

Socialized sports and sporting venues are abhorrent. Roman rulers were known by the games they put on. Nothing has changed in 1500 years. Sportsballing shouldn't receive a dollar of public money.

Anonymous said...

We hold you accountable for every single word in your article, Bernie.

Errors will not be accepted.

Don’t let it happen again…

Anonymous said...

This is a woman that is the nastiest partisan hack in at the courthouse. Wrote abhorrent letters to the editor of LVL month after month name calling anyone that didn’t go along with her far left politics. Prior to the McClure administration she was an adjunct biology professor at NAAC. Now she’s a political appointee getting 16% raises. This is why people hate politicians.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Nastiest partisan hack? Here's what I think. I know her. I live near her. She is a very nice person. She's even nice to me. I have never heard a single soul complain that she is nasty in any way. Partisan? Yes, and she works as an exempt appointee. I know she is a partisan Democrat. The Exec is entitled to appoint several people who he knows he can trust and rely on. That is written into the Home Rule Charter. It applies to both Democratic and Republican Execs. McClure is comfortable with partisan Democrats. Hack? I don't think so. As you yourself concede, she is actually a biology professor. She has a degree in microbiology and a masters in education. Anyone who matriculated at any college knows that the hard sciences are very difficult and the students in those majors work very hard. She is also an author and has volunteered to cover Upper Nazareth Tp meetings, and does so as well as any journalist. She works hard in the county keeping the public informed about what's going on, especially with respect to elections. I have been very impressed by her.

Republicans on Council who opposed her payhike just betrayed their own partisan natures. That's understandable, but that's what it was.

I have not seen many of her LTEs. But I have read a few. I see no name-calling. I see no extremism. She certainly is a liberal, but far from extreme. So your assertion that she is nasty and mischaracterizations of her LTEs betrays that if anyone is nasty and engaged in name-calling, it is you.

You are also a coward. Ms. Bartlett signs what she writes while you hide behind a veil of anonymity.

She is not a policy maker or an elected official. Save you venom for those people.

Anonymous said...

Complete unfair treatment across the Board. Executive has unlimited power to rewa4rd and screw any employees he chooses. Shameful.

Anonymous said...

I also remember her monthly letters. In fact, I remember her posting in the comment section on LVL and someone outed her. Her husband took over the letter writing for her for awhile with the monthly letter of partisan garbage. Whatever. McClure has the right to hire whoever he wants I guess. I think it’s bullshit that the entire county work force is under paid but Lamont’s girl gets a 16% raise. That’s politics I guess.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Should I out you?

Anonymous said...

Blogger Bernie O'Hare said...

Should I out you?

December 2, 2022 at 11:28 PM

Real nice Bernie. You just turned off I hope, 50% of your readers.

Anonymous said...

Iron Pigs need to agree to change their contract that would allow the city to charge an amusement tax to ticket prices. Then the city could collect the tax & provide the grant money requested from Allentown. Every other entertainment venue in the Lehigh Valley collects an amusement tax.

If they had done that with Allentown they would not be begging for Northampton County funding to build a Ladies Locker Room for a game that is a mens game!!!

Anonymous said...

Iron Pigs need to allow Allentown to impose an amusement tax in return for a grant.

Iron Pigs tickets are only entertainment venue in entire Lehigh Valley that does not charge the entertainment tax.

Northampton County Hotel Taxes belong in Northampton County while Lehigh County Hotel Taxes cover Lehigh County venues.

Anonymous said...

Major leagues are making a dick out of our politicians but then again that is easy to do.

Anonymous said...

Ironpigs and MLB should insist that all teams dine and stay in Lehigh County.

Anonymous said...

MLB doesn’t have to mandate that because they all do stay in Lehigh County.

Anonymous said...

Hotels on east side of Shoenersville are in Norco.

Anonymous said...

Becky got a raise. Non-union got a raise...one of those that got her raise just entered her newly created position, after leaving another position that she got by being related to the one that fought for her raise, yet calls out more than she comes in, but seems to have an endless supply of sick and vacation time at her disposal. Her old position was never posted but filled with a council member's family member. This is why the other employees are leaving. They know that no matter how hard you work, what really matters is who you know.