At their first budget hearing concerning Northampton County's $577 million budget for next year, County Council heard from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's (LVPC) Matt Assad. He told them that, with two months to go this year, developers have proposed 13 million sq ft in warehouse development. This is all located within the county. Assad indicated that housing development is down, but commercial development is spiking in the county at a level not seen since 2008.
"This is crazy!" exclaimed Council member John Cusick who said he was "stunned" by the square footage sought.
LVPC is budgeted for $605,000 from NorCo for next year, the same amount it received this year. That's $95,000 less than requested,.
In contrast to LVPC, Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority (LANTA) is looking for an increased contribution. It was awarded $582,600 in 2023, but wants $642,800 next year. LANTA Exec Director Owen O'Neill told Council that he plans to acquire 13 new buses next year to replace those past their useful life of 12 years.
O'Neill told Council that LANTA ridership is at 95% of pre-pandemic levels.
What else was learned during the budget hearing?
Revenue Down in Recorder of Deeds: The Recorder's Office was expected to take in $2.1 million this year in various recording fees, but fell about $0.5 million short. Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron told Council that high interest rates have slowed the real estate industry, and he expects that to continue next year. He added that there are a higher number of people delinquent in tax payments than has been the case in previous years. "People we have not seen before are getting payment plans," he observed. "You'd be surprised."
The County is Sitting on $1 million in uncommitted American Rescue Plan Act funds: The County has until the end of next year to spend or commit that money. Barron said it would likely be claimed as replacement revenue.
It's possible that County Council could try to grab some of that money for programs it wants to fund.
Cusick Wants to Find Money to Fund Student Loans: Though Cusick failed to get the votes for a student loan program last year, he vowed to try again, arguing it would help the county recruit and retain staff,
Juvenile Justice Center Will Cost $4.1 Million Next Year. - That's a $350,800 increase (9%) over what was spent this year.
Nonunion staff will pay more for health care: Human Resources Director Mary Lou Kaboly said that increases in health care costs will be imposed on nonunion county workers. Union workers are protected by negotiated contracts.
There are currently two plans (PPO and HSA) in place. Participants in PPO plans will pay 1% more of their salary, while those in HSAs will pay 0.5% more.
Deductibles will increase as well.
PPO participants currently have a $400 (single) and $800 (family) deductible. That will increase to $1,500 (single) and $3,000 (family).
HSA participants currently have a $2,000 (single) and $4,000 (family) deductible. That will increase to $2,500 (single) and $5,000 (family).
UPDATED 9:15: I originally reported that LVPC had requested $605,000, but it had actually requested more money.
22 comments:
"LVPC is seeking $605,000 from NorCo for next year, the same amount it requested and received this year."
Not true. They wanted about $100,000 more, the same as Lehigh County gave. McClure refused. He wants to create his own Planning Commission run by him. He has a very public feud with LVPC as he does with most that don't do what he wants.
Warehouse demand will go through a transition and eventually not be needed as much as now. They will fade away ,just like shopping MALLS. They will be replaced like toll takers are at our beloved Bridge Commission , by a EZPass. Then what? You can’t put the empty warehouse in the rubber room all day like they do. Like cable TV , it will be gone shortly, and V8 gasoline powered Dodges ,things are changing and you politicians that are elected have told us that you are smart enough to make the proper prior plan. We need less people here, not more. Increased populations cause social and economic problems. Put the breaks on developers.
According to WFMZ LVPC asked for an additional 127K. but McClure said no and is recommending.flat funding. Payback for moving the office to the NIZ?
Finally, the cost of rising healthcare cost is affecting non-union employees. For years you gloated about your 15% raises and now the chickens are coming home to roost. I hope the cost of inflation finally forces you to get a second job.
What is it that you said to county union employees, “pull yourselves up from your bootstraps?”
Time for you to do the same.
I think about LVPC every time I get stuck in traffic on Route 22, which is often. Our existing infrastructure is not able to handle the truck traffic that comes with these warehouses and our area is ground zero for asthma and other issues caused by air pollution.
LVPC hasn't even stepped up to do an air quality study. A group of private citizens had to organize and put together the tests.
The economy isn’t as good as people think. There are jobs, but most people have lost purchasing power due to inflation. They are starting to cut back. Tax revenue will continue to come in below projections.
That health care deductible increase is a whopper! Why anyone would want to work for this county is beyond me. Low wages AND shitty benefits.
What is a HSA insurance plan?
Steve Barron and everyone else who voted for Biden should not be “surprised” at high interest rates and people needing to pay their taxes in installments. These same people should also vote for John Cusick for controller. The county is doomed without him. And wow - another warehouse! Disgusting!
"The HSA is a tool created in 2003 for people who take advantage of the high deductible plans – which typically offer cheaper monthly premiums than traditional insurance plans but have more out-of-pocket costs than a non-HDHP plan. HSA plans were created so that people could have some money to put towards significant medical expenses if they arise."
So let me get this straight. The county is increasing the healthcare costs, The Juvenile center is costing more likely due to overtime cost for not having a fully staffed facility. This and other offices in the county are understaffed or having issues with staff retention due to low wages. Not the county wants to kick the worker in the teeth by not providing any increase to wages for any worker (union or non union.) All this why inflation increases. I bet some of the people in default from their taxes could be county workers. McClure sold himself as the county workers voice. Man has he really turned on them. I am sure there is more surplus then the 1 million from covid funds out there! What a joke this administration is!
"Warehouse demand will go through a transition and eventually not be needed as much as now."
and be replaced with....what? Technology and trends dictate that things come and go (e.g. coal, and as you said, malls)
But what will replace or eliminate warehouses?
Money sitting for any reason should get into CDs Evan if they are short terms. We don’t know with the Fed will do next . Short term CDs protect the banks against having to pay too much if prime rate drops . But so what. You can’t loose. Embassy, People First Credit Union and Fidelity Bank money market at about 4% if you bring in &10,000 you get the interest on the other part of balance. No , none - zero risk. Townships and maybe this county should look at this.
One thing is clear. Tara Zirinski knows nothing about the county budget. Her questions and comments are childlike and make no sense. While she may be the choice of McClure, she is a disaster for the people. If elected, it will be MacClure and Barron as Controllers and she will just cash the check.
Very sad!
What can we do to stop these warehouses. The noise alone is enough to make you crazy. But our land is being ruined and what made Northampton county great is gone. Can't this be stopped now?
It is time for NORCO to drop out of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and go it alone. LVPC controls the transportation dollars and us most of it to benefit Lehigh County. What are the salaries being paid at LVPC? How much does director Becky Bradley make? NORCO should be going to court to change the allocation of these funds. I wonder if any of these LVPC employees ever held a real job.
When is the County Council going to stop these illegal actions of McClure. Do not vote for any McClure hacks. Tara Zrinski and the rest of them. They all have to go.
HSA IS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN SCAM. Let’s face reality, republicans broke the unions, republicans took away defined pensions, republicans took away company health care benefits, republicans do not want to pay taxes. And the American workers just agree with them, there are no planned walk outs to have those benefits back. America needs to change their greedy practices and worker need to fight for their rights for a better life than what they now have.
I've heard talk of warehouses eventually being converted to environmentally controlled indoor agriculture facilities that could grow flowers, produce, cannibas, whatever all year round.
Who pissed in your cornflakes?! Not all non-union are paid well. Some of those individuals make LESS than union employees and never received 15% increases AND are struggling to make ends meet. Perhaps educate yourself before commenting.
This county is run by Democrats with a democrat executive. Take it up with him lol.
McClure's move in non-union co-pays is an FU to county council for not pushing his county Herath dept. Sad that employees are used as pawns by McClure in another of his feuds.
Did anyone else notice Tara leave at about the halfway point? Not like budget meetings are important for someone who wants to be controller.
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