UPDATED: NorCo Council Adopts $502 Million Budget

Last night, NorCo Council adopted Exec Lamont McClure's proposed $502 million spending plan (you can see it here) for 2025. Although  Council  made a few changes, the now adopted budget maintains the same tax rate as this year. If you're a county taxpayer, this means that the current 10.8 mill tax rate will remain the same. A home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill for $810. 

Under our Home Rule Charter, a balanced budget is required. Total proposed spending may not exceed anticipated revenue. 

McClure's $502 million spending plan is $51 million less (9.3%) than it was last year. Interestingly, only $104.4 million of the county's budget (20.9%) comes from real estate taxes. The rest comes from intergovernmental grants, fees and fines, investment income and fund balance. 

Open Space: In his Budget Message, McClure notes has set aside $3 million for open space, something he has done every year. He believes this is one way that the county can slow down warehouse proliferation

Emergency stabilization fund: This is also known as the rainy-day fund, and County Council requires a minimum balance of 5% of the total expenditures expected over the course of the year. The county has set aside $8.1 million, or 5.6% of anticipated expenditures.  

Gracedale: No county funds will be needed to keep Gracedale operational. 

Employee costs: Northampton County has budgeted for 1,913 full and part-time employees, although the total number right now is closer to 1,700.  Career service (nonunion) workers are getting a step in their PayScale, which translates to a 4.5% raise. Union salaries have also increased in accordance with collective bargaining agreements with the county's 11 unions. Yet the total cost of salaries and benefits has decreased 1.4%. In 2024, $166.2 million was set aside for salaries and benefits. But McClure has set aside $163.9 million, over $2 million less in 2025. This might be because the county is asking employees to pay more for healthcare. The county contribution to healthcare and dental is projected to be $705,600 less this year than it was in 2024. 

There were major issues with three amendments proposed by Council members John Goffredo and John Brown. 

Goffredo proposed removing a little over $3.1 million in operating expenses across all divisions and P25 radio system. He clarified last night that he wanted to reduce operation expenses, but not salaries or benefits. Fiscal Director Steve Barron said that this would result in an unbalanced budget. Moreover, this change would require him, and not Council, to decide where these cuts are made. Goffredo and Council Solicitor Chris Spandoni countered that the budget would still be balanced and would give the administration the "discretion" to decide where to make cuts. 

Participating by phone, Council member Ron Heckman applauded Goffredo for making an effort, but said "you're not going to get anywhere if there isn't a cooperative attitude between the administration and Council." 

Goffredo's proposed amendment failed in a 5-4 vote. Voting yes were Goffredo, Brown, Lori Vargo Heffner and Tom Giovanni. Voting no were Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Corpora, Jeff Warren and Ron Heckman. 

Brown's major amendment was the addition of $5 million to the county's "rainy day" fund. A Council ordinance concerning the rainy-day fund requires that between 5-15% in operating expenses be set aside. In conformity with that ordinance, McClure's proposed budget set aside 5.6%. This amendment does throw the budget out of balance, and Fiscal Director cited several examples of where the county could fall short, from money for raises to money for health care costs. Brown said it would be up to the administration to "rebalance the budget." 

Council member Heckman agreed with Barron's contention that he would be presented with what is in effect a Morton's fork, a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives. 

The one big amendment that passed was the removal of $1 million for outside nurses at Gracedale to fund the P25 radio system. After basically accusing Fiscal Director Steve Barron of lacking transparency, Vargo Heffner gaveled Barron down when he attempted to defend himself and called for the vote even though the matter was not fully debated. 

The removal of $1 million for nursing services at Gracedale was approved by Goffredo, Brown, Vargo Heffner, Corpora and Giovanni. It was opposed by Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren and Ron Heckman. 

The budget amendments collectively were adopted by a 6-3 vote. Voting Yes were Goffredo, Brown, Vargo Heffner, Corpora, Heckman and Giovanni. Voting No were Keegan, Kraft and Warren. The budget itself was adopted by a 7-2 vote, with only Kraft and Keegan dissenting. 

This is the seventh no-tax hike budget under Exec Lamont McClure. One of them actually included a tax cut. 

Updated 9:50 am to reflect that Warren votes Yes to the budget.