By a 7-2 vote, Northampton County Council voted last night to approve a $35 million bond that would finance a new parking deck at the courthouse campus, a new radio system for first responders, other county projects at the jail and to purchase assets currently under lease. Voting No were Council members John Brown and John Goffredo. The Yes votes came from Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren, Jeff Corpora, Lori Vargo Heffner, Ron Heckman and Tom Giovanni.
Brown complained that no plans were ever presented to Council for the new parking deck even though detailed plans were presented in July and discussed several times. In fact, after those plans were presented, Goffredo insisted he could bring in an expert t show that there was no need for a new parking deck. That never happened, and even Goffredo last night acknowledges that a new parking deck is needed.
He was still skeptical because a parking deck would cost about $21 million but the bond is for $35 million. "We're cutting a blank check and we don't know what we're getting," he said. Public Works Director Mike Emili said that the county could spend about a half million to get more refined estimates, but any savings would be lost by waiting for the bond.
Financial Advisor Scott Shearer told Council that $6 million of the $35 million would pay for the purchase of energy conservation assets currently under lease. He added that bonds would not be sold until March or April. The bonds would be repaid over 16 years.
Council member Jeff Warren produced a picture of a car damaged by falling concrete in the deck. "This is a vehicle. I don't want it to be a family walking into this building. It's a public safety hazard, straight up."
Bernie you are not going to get away without talking about the biggest financial scandal of all time run by your democrats we havr known you run a fake blog but this time we all know you and the media are trying to cover up this left wing democratic scandal go Musk and Trump their is much more to go.
ReplyDeleteYou make no sense and your English grammar shows you didn’t pay much attention in school. Musk and Trump are ruining the country they’re heartless individuals driven by greed and money.
DeleteLamont still workin’. Still getting things accomplished.
ReplyDeleteJohn Brown and John Goffredo have made it clear that they care more about lining their own pockets than providing safe infrastructure and programs for County residents and employees. Thank you, Bernie, for calling out Goffredo for NOT providing the documentation on parking decks he promised to produce.
ReplyDeleteFinally. Amazing
ReplyDeleteIf I were a Commissioner and asked to vote for this bond issue, I would have first asked to see what the growth expectancy of the County Government is expected to be over the next ten years. A plan to address that growth would determine the size of the parking deck. The overall "County Growth and government expansion Plan" at this site will determine the size of the Parking Deck. Will County Offices (not Legislative or The Courts) be relocating in other areas of the County to provide better and more efficient services to our residents? How many employees will be transferred from the Government center (Courthouse) complex to these newer more service oriented buildings? where is the long term plan? what is the short term plan. How is the parking situation going to be handled during the Construction of the new parking deck. Will the offices temporarily being moved to another site become permanent? Where's the Plan. Show me the plan then ask for my support of a bond issue.
DeleteNo wonder citizens and employees are all imploring McClure to seek 4 more.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Republicans brought up that there will be a new administration after the election, let's hope the five at large will all be replaced too. Obstruct, obstruct, obstruct is no way to govern. Brown and Goofredo talk a lot but say nothing. They should take a lesson from the quiet man.
ReplyDeleteI’m a little confused about two things:
ReplyDelete1). The bond they approved is for $35 million. The parking deck is $21 million. Shearer said another $6 million is for “energy conservation assets”.
By my simple math, and I guess to Goffredo’s point, that still leaves $8 million unaccounted for (about 23% of the total). That should have been clearly spelled out (for both council AND the public) by the Administration and bond counsel well before the bond approval was brought to council.
Is Goffredo just missing something that was provided?
2). Proponents of the borrowing have said this was an urgent need (which I agree with as far as the parking deck). Yet when this came before council a few weeks ago it was tabled because a member of council was under the weather.
Last night’s vote was 7-2 in favor. If it’s as urgent as they say, why didn’t supporters on council vote it through at the prior meeting on what would have been a 6-2 vote?
I’m starting to think NorCo government has a problem with simple math.
Yes, you are missing an important item. The parking deck ($21 Million), $6 million to purchase energy conservation assts and another $6 million for the P25 radio system. That's $33 million. The remaining funds will be used to help pay for capital improvements at the jail and at other county buildings. This money is budgeted but it gives the county flexibility.
DeleteBrown and Goffredo are a joke!
ReplyDeleteNORCO is a joke
DeleteMAGa will destroy
ReplyDeleteMAGA will destroy all left wing lunatics and the deep state and any other swamp people in this great country. Will also drive out all illegal criminal aliens'
ReplyDeleteWhat a tremendous bi-partisan compromise.
ReplyDeleteImagine if Lori had a clue and met with Lamont as two counter parts and negotiated a deal to bring to council instead of being a nitwit avoider/obstructionist?! Now that would be acting as a council president. But no, she didn't. She sucks!
ReplyDeleteOutrageous! Who looks out for the beleagured taxpayer? Where is Ron Angle when we need him?
ReplyDeleteTaxes haven’t been raised since John Brown raised them in 2015. Lamont McClure cut taxes in 2022 which has saved taxpayers 24m.
Deletethey are looking out for you, your taxes will not be raised to pay for this bond, why don't you try to pay attention instead of making sweeping stupid statements like this?
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