At last night's budget hearing for Northampton County Council, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) requested $965,500 for next year. But in his proposed budget, Executive Lamont McClure has limited funding for that bi-county venture to $625,000, the same sum approved in this year's budget.
As explained in the proposed budget, LVPC does the planning for planning for regional land use, transportation, recreation, economic development, storm water management, and environmental impact studies. It reviews subdivision plans and is already over 250 this year alone, just in Northampton County. It also is the body that reviews and regulates stormwater management plans for municipalities. It also provides technical assistance with smaller local governments. But does this justify what is 50% increase in the county contribution next year? According to Executive Director Becky Bradley, Lehigh County thinks so, and was voting last night on a budget that would give thus admittedly busy and worthwhile agency more money. That is, however, a terrible argument to make in Northampton County. It almost guarantees a rejection, if only out of spite. Northampton County has long considered itself the ugly red-headed stepchild when compared to Lehigh.
Council member John Goffredo, easily that body's most conservative voice, surprisingly voiced support for this substantial increase. He noted that the county (and its municipalities) need these services, and they are required under state law. He said head be comfortable matching Lehigh County.
But Council member Ken Kraft, easily that body's most candid voice, was far less encouraging. "I am totally against that," he said of the proposed 50% increase. "I can't see taking another $300,000 out of our budget, so I'm a No vote on that. .... I'm fiscally conservative so, you know, sorry."
During LVPC's presentation, Bradley warned these funds are needed for salaries, which is close to 90% of its budget.
If NorCo Council wishes to fund the entire $965,000 requested, it will have to deduct money proposed somewhere else.
12 comments:
A county planning agency is a worthwhile function for sure, but with Becky Bradley at the helm it is surprising anyone would work there. A 50% increase is absurd.
Kraft, the blind squirrel, found a nut. LVPC has done nothing to properly plan. Goffredo is an idiot. Warehouse development is out of control. Our highways are jam-packed disasters that feature fatal crashes every week. 10-minute commutes are now 25 minutes or more. They should be disbanded due to utter uselessness. Let's call it permanent summer hours.
Having dealt with the planning commission, I can say that much of what they focus on is a waste of time. They focus on pie-in-the-sky studies that have no chance of being implemented (greenhouse gas studies, warehouse studies after they’ve pushed warehouses for years), and they fail to do their main job in a timely manner. If they were providing the value, maybe it would be worth it, but instead it seems like they just want to be a fiefdom that focuses on patting themselves on the back without doing their core job.
What Big Spender Goofredo doesn’t know is that the extra 3 Hundi almost entirely represents Ms. Bradley and Ms. Oscavich’s salary and benefits. No extra projects, no extra work, just overpaying them.
90% salaries? Time for some cutting, not for giving.
No one is seeing salary increases, why should they?
LVPC is the United Nations of the Lehigh Valley. Nepotism appointments, pockets lined by interested parties. Who's left covering the cost? You guessed it, the taxpayer. Lamont will have a job with them after he gets his ass handed to him in the Spring.
Good luck finding 340K in this budget JP. It already doesn't fund the employee pension plan, assumes no county contribution for Gracedale, and drains $5 million from the fund balance.
90% of the budget goes to salaries because great pay is the only reason anyone tolerates working there. Check out Glassdoor.
If Northampton wont hand over the extra $300,000 go ask Wee Willie Reynolds from Bethlehem for it! I saw the other night on you tube that he is giving $50 million to a "affordable housing developer" to build 120 units. The math wiz that he is , that comes out to $416,000 per unit! And thats not counting the land which was "donated" by LVIP which just "coincidently" received a very beneficial zoning change on land along Route 412 which now allows more warehouses right up against Rt 412 and increased that land value by $20 million.
Kraft, the blind squirrel, found a nut. now that made me laugh
If I heard correctly the pension funds are already up $.62 billion. Are they invested?
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