Standing behind a podium next to the organ and piano at Gracedale's pristine chapel, where a preacher would ordinarily be delivering a homily, Executive Lamont McClure may have answered the prayers of many county taxpayers yesterday. No tax increase has been proposed in his eighth and final budget as Northampton County Executive. Before a throng that included his entire cabinet, county council members, the press and curious Gracedale workers, McClure delivered a financial sermon. Fiscal Director Steve Barron acted as altar boy, genuflecting now and then. This crowd also included McClure's successor next year, which will be either Controller Tara Zrinski or Council member Tom Giovanni.
You can see the budget here.
It's a $503.6 million spending backage, about7.3% less than in 2025. As required by the Home Rule Charter, it is a balanced budget. Total spending may not exceed revenue.
It 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.
Open Space. - McClure will continue the county's investment in open space and farmland preservation. His administration has spent $23 million on open space during his time in office, and the county has preserved 20,000 acres of actual working farmland.
Gracedale. - While county government has no obligation to support a nursing home, and few counties are left that do, McClure has always argued - both as Council member and later as Executive - that it is a moral obligation. He stated that Gracedale will "again" operate in 2026 with no contribution from the county's general fund, but Gracedale did require a $9.9 million contribution in 2024 and another $15 million from the county in 2023. The 2023 payment was from federal funding to replace revenue lost during COVID. McClure said that Gracedale has implement an aggressive plan to reduce the county's reliance on the use of agency nursing care. That practice is unsustainable long-term. The proposed budget still includes $20-25 million for agency nursing, but McClure stated that spending for agency nursing care could be down by $1-1.5 million by the end of this year. He predicts spending on agency nursing will drop $3.5 million in 2026.
Infrastructure. - In addition to an emphasis on open space and Gracedale, McClure's spending plan will use bond proceeds to address a badly needed parking deck at the courthouse campus as well as upgrades to 911 service.
Council Action. - McClure proposes, but County Council disposes. Council will conduct several lengthy budget hearings between now and mid-December before taking action. Under the Home Rule Charter, it can vote to reject the budget. But if it does, McClure's spending plan automatically goes into effect. Council does have the power to amend, but it must leave intact any payments scheduled for debt service and as no authority to modify the Executive's revenue estimates. If it wants to fund something, it has to find the money by making cuts elsewhere. It must take action by December 16.
That won't be easy. McClure will use $5 million from the general fund to balance the budget, leaving the county with just $1 million in unrestricted funds to start the year. This has been a sticking point with some members of County Council, who are more comfortable with larger fund balances. McClure has long eschewed the $50-60 million fund balances favored by previous executives, claiming that his approach is that of "lean efficient governments that are taxpayer friendly like ours."
The stabilization fund, commonly referred to as the rainy-day fund, will be $8.6 million, slightly above the minimum required by County Council. This has also been a sore spot with some Council members.
Furloughs. - McClure was asked how the county will respond with more furloughs if federal and state funding dries up because of budget stalemates.
McClure stated that a furlough notice was sent to SEIU because that is required under the county's collective bargaining agreement, but there are no immediate plans to furlough anyone. He added that "it's not the county's responsibility to fund human services. Human services is funded 80-100% by the state government." He said that if the county funded human services on its own, it would cost $30 million.
He stressed that, no matter what happens, the county has plans in place to make sure that the most vulnerable children and seniors are still seen. He then took a shot at SEIU, the union that represents human services caseworkers. He noted that the county had offered 13% in wage hikes, but SEIU threatened to strike. He said the most vulnerable will still be seen even though state senate Republicans are "deadbeats." He repeated this epithet several times, saying "the deadbeats need to pass the budget."
McClure said that the county has asked the state treasurer for as $10 million loan but wants it interest-free "because it's our money."
McClure has called furloughs an "option of last resort," but is also unwilling to invade the rainy-day fund or take out a loan with interest. So isn't the option of last resort actually the option of first resort?
He explained that the county has paused payments to human services providers, and this there is no need to consider furloughs until the end of the year, "which is why I said it is an option of last resort."
Deadbeat Republicans. - After calling state senate Republicans deadbeats on three separate occasions, McClure was asked whether he considers the Democrats on a federal level deadbeats as well because they have blocked a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government. He said that, if he were in Congress, he would want something in exchange for his vote, like extending the credit of the Affordable Care Act.
McClure was asked, "When you use terms like deadbeats, aren't you just continuing the divisive rhetoric that has caused problems that we have on a national and state level?" His response? "If you're going to melt because I called you a deadbeat, you're a snowflake."
31 comments:
SEIU endorsed Bob Brooks upon his announcement and had a sham endorsement process for it. So McClure targeting that group for furloughs as opposed to spreading out among departments makes sense.
Barron may be kneeling but so are you. You let stand numerous BS comments from McClure. You have done that for eight years so why stop now. He your boy after all.
McClure has lost all of his credibility. The gracedale mess, the funny money, the constant blame game and name calling, the lack of trust. He has reached his Peter Principle.
Mis-step McClure knows he has no chance to beat JM. His future is bleak. Maybe he could become a political consultant like Wild.
This is a fiscally irresponsible budget that is "balanced" by neglecting $14 million in payments to the employee pension and OPEB funds. Council needs to ask for the actuarial recommended contributions. Surely it's not zero.
Additionally contrary to the tough talk, he's actually increasing the line item for agency nurses at Gracedale.
What a pathetic, fat, bitter old scold. He's a truly disgusting person.
Tom Giovanni (R), fmr. Radio Shack Mngr. was asked to comment after the speech:
Reporter: Mr. Giovanni, your comments on the budget Sir ?
Tom Giovanni:
Someone is getting combative
This guy is such an asshole lol.
So he asked for a 10 million dollar interest free loan? I hope “deadbeat” Stacy Garrity tells him to go eff himself! What a moron this idiot is!
The budget is balanced by unrealistic Gracedale numbers. The rainy day fund is very low. Whoever the next exec is has a mess to deal with.
Anyone who was at that news conference knows that I let nothing stand without questioning it. I have been more than willing to criticize him when I think him wrong or praise him when I think him correct.
He balanced the budget on the backs of the employees. Giving low raises but increased costs to career service while threatening the unions with the same. Take the deal or else. Pro union? After the Brown stain i guess anyone can look pro union.
Trump was supposed up fix inflation but has royally screwed EVERYTHING up. Im happy as a tax payer but so disappointed as an employee.
McClure was blessed with a highly over inflated budget proposed by then County Executive John Brown and approved by County Council. It was a ten per cent tax increase (the largest in County History). After Brown lost, he attempted to saddle the next Administration and Council with a deficit budget that would have been a disaster, but Council voted NO to his proposed cuts realizing that Brown was trying to sabotage the Budget for the next administration.
Bernie rumor has it you're packing in the blog This will be good for the county and the country.
No tax increase but using the rainy day fund to balance the budget is not very good fiscal responsibility. So the next executive will have to have the largest tax increase to make up for McClure’s poor budgeting. In addition, he is a pompous ass. There is no way he wins the democratic nomination for Congress next year let alone win it. Talk about an arrogant obnoxious, self-centered, partisan hack. He blames republicans for the government shutdown down but doesn’t blame the democrats for the state shutdown. He’s says it’s the state senate but he lies, as it was proven. It’s the assembly, which is controlled by the democrats.
The best was council meeting when McClure and Heffner were going back and forth. Heffner told McClure what thousands of people want to tell him, to “shut up”!! Said he was lying too. That was classic. She put him in his place. 👏👏 He is the most partisan hack, second the Kelly Keegan. No way he’s winning the congressional seat. More democrats are leaving the party and he’s part of the reason, like Mamdoni in NYC. Keep bashing republicans. Carbon County cost Susan Wild her job, they will see you don’t win either. It was also great to see Keegan at council meeting once again demonstrating why she shouldn’t be on council. She didn’t even know who can do mail in ballots. McClure had to step in and tell her. Duh!! Once the motion to end the meeting took place she got on her broom 🧹 stick and took off faster than the second motion to adjourn was heard. 😂😂😂
Entertainment at its best.
Tricia, Go away and let the adults talk. Your lies have gotten you into lots of trouble over the years, but you are unable to stop spewing venom. Get help.
People want bipartisanship, not name calling. We get that with Trump be better Lamont!
Democrats are wrong side again in shutting down our country.
Good riddance Lamont!
"the largest in County History" ... really? How long have you lived here? Do some research into the Reibman tax increases.
The system sucks on all levels of government Face fact people it is not working too many things go wrong in a big way Many changes are need but i guarantee your politicians in office will never do what is right--term limits, money out get rid if property taxes and many others. Your scum bags will never change.
Reibman raised taxes, however, not more than Brown in ONE YEAR. BROWN HOLDS THE RECORD.
Get with the program MAGA ….who controls the branches of government? WHO took the break and left without negotiating? Magamorons want the government shut down, they are following the Project 2025 that didn’t exist….enough blaming Dems!
A Norco tax payer whose taxes not only didn’t go up during his term but were lowered said good riddance? I remember when republicans at the county level under leadership of John Brown raised taxes with a surplus.
You know they need 60 votes but nice try.
Tom Giovanni: Lamont The Shady Ambulance Chaser McTurd can't account for his employees CoViD money. At Radio Shack, that's called stealing.
Good riddance McCluless- your act is up!
Amen! Our department has been decimated by resignations and they just keep coming.
And if your not careful so will your taxes be!
Democrats blame republicans and republicans blame democrats but us poor people don't actually read the damn budget to find out who is actually pulling the wool over our eyes. Most of you are guilty of believing what *they* are telling you. Doesn't matter which side you're on. Im astounded by the level of ignorance that runs rampant in the form of misinformation.
How many of you keyboard warriors actually read the budget to find out who is being screwed over? Why are the democrats over 5 billion? Lately, it seems there is either cuts for the ultra wealthy or big corporations. Notice there was no mention in there about Republicans cutting anything on their side. No compromise. It's only the democrats fault.
This is exactly the same type of bullshit that shut the federal budget down. Republicans want to defund Healthcare and democrats are holding the line. Then republicans blame democrats for Healthcare for illegals that can't even get Healthcare. 5 second google search shows that you need to be a citizen to qualify yet it's an issue. As an independent I'm pissed off with this petty bullshit. I'm tired of the sides blaming each other. I'm tired of the republicans lying more often than the democrats. And I'm including lying through omission or misleading statements.
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