At their November 7 meeting, Northampton County Council voted 5-4 to reject a $63.5 million bond that would be used for a new parking deck and office building at the courthouse complex. It would also finance several other projects, including a $6 million P-25 radio system for first responders. These replace analog radios with digital and have the capacity to transfer data as well as voice.
Council members Lori Vargo Heffner and Jeff Corpora both said they had no problem with building a parking garage to replace an outdated and unsafe structure. But they wanted more details on options about building the garage but delaying the county office building. Council member Jeff Warren wanted a vote on the entire package, all or nothing. He got nothing. Democrats Corpora and Vargo Heffner joined Republicans John Brown, John Goffredo and Tom Giovanni in voting down the bond.
Since that time, the Council members who voted No have been criticized for voting against public safety, especially with regard to the parking deck. But there's been no attempt to separate what a consensus of Council wants from the office building, the only controversial part of the bond proposal.
At the November 21 meeting of NorCo Council, Executive Lamont McClure shared a letter he received from Daniel Gordon, President of the NorCo Ambulance Ass'n:
"The NorCo Ambulance Ass'n would like to lend its voice of support for the effort to expand the County's Motorola Astro P25 advanced communications system. This strategic expansion will not only enhance radio coverage for emergency responders but will also ensure the adoption of cutting-edge communication technology necessary for the effective operations during emergencies.
"The expanded P25 system will deliver secure wide area communication providing seamless interoperability among all county emergency service organizations. By replacing the current communication infrastructure, which is prone to interference, the new system will ensure reliable uninterrupted communication when it is needed most during critical incidents and emergencies. This project represents a pivotal advancement in public safety capabilities. The upgraded P25 system will significantly improve response times and operational efficiency, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for all county residents.
"Additionally, we strongly support the continued funding of the Northampton County public safety grant program. The use of bond funds for this initiative will support public safety agencies across the county while simultaneously allowing general tax revenues to be directed to other essential services. In closing, we commend your efforts to fund the P25 system expansion through bond proceeds and would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the recent upgrades to the radio infrastructure in the southern region of the county. These investments demonstrate a steadfast commitment to enhancing public safety and ensuring that our emergency responders have the tools they need to protect and serve our communities effectively."
Participating by phone, Council member Ron Heckman questioned why the county was unable to use funds from its fund balance, but Finance Director Steve Barron stated that money was needed to balance the budget.
Council member Goffredo suggested splitting the cost over two years, but McClure was uncertain whether that is possible.
What McClure could do is introduce a new bind without the county office building until a majority of County Council supports it and the interest rates make it worth it.
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