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.
36 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?
How much more does anyone need to know that Goffredo is dying to raise taxes?
absolutely correct! Goofredo doesn't get it!
Wee Wee Willie & "I'm all ears" Tuerk are the absolute worst Mayors in the Commonwealth
LVPC doesn’t justify 50% increase do to salary demands or projected expensive studies that only put money in engineering studies and architectual drawings pockets, while doing nothing for Northampton County except telling us that our air quality sucks!
The LVPC has a pension plan, unlike many of the taxpayers.
Every year the county actuary determines how much should be invested in the employee pension and OPEB funds. McClure hasn't provided those figures for the 2026 budget, but it certainly isn't zero.
Bernie O’Hare to 4:52, he has and I will report on this topic tomorrow.
The Lehigh Valley Planning commission is nothing more than an agent for Lehigh County where they direct most money. I doubt any of their employees could be employed in the private sector. Its time for NORCO to end support of the LVPC and go it along. At the same time im worrying about an increase in my health care and these parasites want a raise. If they have budget problems then they should have a layoff just the real world. What a bunch of weasels.
Without a PA budget, and reduced Federal aid dollars, without a plan to raise dollars for the nursing home and the county budget being held to its 2024 levels, the County will have to raise taxes sometime.
I think most of the haters on here are McStingy and his Cronies, its my understanding that the LVPC has been asking for more $ for several years and Northampton hasn't matched Lehigh for at least a couple years, so it what may seem like a huge increase really isn't.
if the county doesn't want him, why would they
municipalities' zoning allows the warehouses and some of the studies are mandates by others... maybe you should learn about the state planning laws before you open your pie hole
wow ... complain complain complain ... try reading about local zoning and infrastructure funding before you blame the wrong people
Anonymous complaints about as trustworthy as Putin.
There has never been parity between Lehigh County and Northampton County when it comes to the LVPC. Lehigh county has always been given the larger fill of the dipstick and it has been a point of contention for years.
A agent for Lehigh County … you’ve been listening to McClure and going at it alone would cost the county more.
you mean to say that a certain manipulative person has been saying that so often that people believe it
...Except when absolutely everyone says the same thing. Have a great weekend Becky!
Asking for the same unreasonable funding more than once doesn't make it reasonable or less of an ask.
LVPC is the only county agency in the state doing stormwater reviews. Its a duplicative service already being done by the municipal engineers and conservation districts. They could shave a big portion of their budget by cutting this out.
LVPC is two counties & if you were to do what you’re saying, every municipality (60+ of them) would have to manage this & pass on the cost. This would be inefficient & have inconsistent application as well as have impact to neighboring municipalities if it’s a large development.
Doesn’t mean it isn’t reasonable either … the judgement isn’t your’s, it’s council’s.
Duplicative would mean someone else is already doing it.
Assuming you know something that you don’t is the pinnacle of stupidity.
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