At last night's meeting, Northampton County Council nixed a proposal to double its rainy-day fund from 5% to 10% of general fund expenditures. The measure, which required five votes to become county law, was supported by Council members John Brown, Jeff Corpora, Tom Giovanni and Lori Vargop Heffner. It was opposed by Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren and Ron Heckman. Council member John Goffredo, who could have tipped the balance one way or the other, was absent.
Before the vote, incoming Executive Tara Zrinski told Council that she already has serious reservations about the budget proposed for next year. (I outlined them here). She also opposes doubling the rainy-day fund. "Let's call this what it is," she said. "It is an unfunded mandate that fails to meet our statutory and moral obligations while burdening future administrations and misleading the public on fiscal stabilization." She called the 10% figure an "arbitrary hurdle that is out of step with the intent of GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) That intent, she asserted, is "clarity and transparency, not artificial inflation of reserves for optics over substance."
She is particularly irked that Council would even consider this ordinance in the face of a proposed budget that already "slashes essential services" like two prison rehabilitation programs. She noted that a 10% rainy-day fund would require her administration to pony up approximately an additional $8 million. She added her displeasure at the failure to fund the pension fund for retirees. "This is not good government. It is an act of willful neglect."
Council member Ron Heckman said he agreed with many of the points made by Zrinski as well as Council member Ken Kraft's warning the previous day that doubling the rainy-day fund would make a tax hike necessary. He agreed that "10% is a bit of a reach," and proposed increasing it to a more manageable 7%. His suggestion failed. Only Council members Vargo Heffner, Giovanni and Corpora agreed with him. The remaining members present (Kraft, Keegan, Corpora and Brown) voted No.
John Brown argued that the rainy-day fund needs to be doubled as a matter of fiscal responsibility. "I believe we'd be having a very different conversation today if the state budget had not passed," he observed. Just two weeks before, he noted that 170 county employees were in danger of being furloughed. He did agree that NorCo finances are in dire straits, and predicted that in mid-January, the county will have to take $10-15 million from the general fund for Gracedale to cover a deficit.
Heckman, like Kraft the day before, said there would need to be a tax hike to find the money. Keegan pointedly asked Brown if he'd support a tax hike to double the rainy-day fund. He said No, but provided no suggestions about where the county could find the money.
Vargo Heffner proposed changing the effective date of the new rainy-day fund until 2028, but that measure died for lack of a second.
She then warned, "We're going to have to raise taxes anyway. It's coming. Just plan on it."
So ends the attempt to beef up the county's rainy-day fund.
You just gotta love Brown saying we should increase the rainy day fund but refuse the idea of a tax increase to pay for it. Truly a principled man how did our county ever get so lucky to have him?
ReplyDeleteSounds like Heckman's common sense did Zirisnki a solid favor. Now save Gracedale.
ReplyDeleteThis council continues to follow party line behavior rather than best government practices of
ReplyDeleteworking as a council to suggest multiple options, not just bickering over one . At this rate, and observation, taxes will go up.
I would support increasing the rainy-day fund if and only if it were accompanied by a millage rate increase. LVH expressed her willingness to do just that the previous day. Ron Heckman intimated he would support a tax hike as well. I believe there should be two months of expenses set aside, which is what outside auditors always want. But by two months of expenses, I mean two months of all expenses, including those reimbursed by the state. There should be enough money in the till to pay everyone and keep the lights on for two months. That is the county's first obligation.
Delete“Vargo Heffner proposed changing the effective date of the new rainy-day fund until 1928…”
ReplyDeleteDid she also propose that Council fund a time machine to accomplish this?
Or maybe YOU just made a typo. ;)
So Goffredo was absent on the most important meeting of the year?
ReplyDeleteHe better have been on his death bed.
If not, what a Profile in Cowardice.
I do not know why Goffredo was absent. But I am sure he had good reason bc he has been to most meetings throughout his term. This was certainly an important meeting. The two most important meetings are budget night and the budget hearing to consider budget amendments.
DeleteWhat did you expect from someone who raised no money during the election? Both he & Brownpants need to stay in the Slate Belt.
DeleteSeems hypocritical to me that Brown, Goffredo, and LVH have been screaming FIRE, FIRE all year about this issue and then Brown says he wouldn't vote to raise taxes?! What is his solution?? If they were really concerned about the county and the budget then on their way out and with nothing to lose Heckman, Goffredo, Brown, Corpora, and LVH (who is already reelected) could raise taxes and solve all their woes. But it isn't about caring for the county. It was always about trying to make McClure look bad because he ran a tight ship and budget.
ReplyDeleteBrown et el aren't fooling anyone. For once they all could put their money where their mouth is and prove to the people they really care, otherwise they will just be the hypocrites we know them to be.
I agree that Brown showed himself a hypocrite last night. He has beat the drum throughout the year that the county is a financial mess and that there is no money. He complained about removing $ from the rainy-day fund in last year's (2025) budget to balance it. He now predicts that Gracedale will need a $10-15 million transfer in January. If half of what he says is true, the county needs a tax hike. But he made clear last night that he would oppose one and offered no solutions. Without a tax hike, the only solution is to cut costs in the one area that both parties have used to balance the budget - the employee.
DeleteSorry, but it’s not Brown’s fault for pointing out what has ended up being true. It’s also not his responsibility to clean up McClure and Zrinski’s mess. It’s certainly not on Brown to now support a tax hike.
DeleteZrinski is the current controller and a council member before that, and has stood by while McClure implemented the democrat policies she’s supported. It’s her mess as much as McClure’s, so she can clean it up.
She either knew or should have known what she was getting into as much as (or more than) anyone else when she ran for office, and I don’t recall her advocating for a tax hike during her campaign.
Council should skyrocket taxes in 1928. 'Cause we all know the market is gonna crash in '29.
ReplyDeleteMcClure is and has been a lousy exec. Council is a do-nothing bickering group of wimps. That is exactly why taxes will have to be raised. It's coming - that's a fact. Some people will try to blame TZ, but those people need to look in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteThese Council people are just not serious people. They just approved a slew of upgrades for Court positions for which there is no money budgeted in. 2026. They were told that the upgrades were being paid for by money saved from positions the Court can’t or doesn’t intend to fill. First, this means that the upgrades are not budgeted for. Second, serious Council people who are so concerned about the budget would have asked what are those positions you can’t and/or won’t fill are and let’s cut them from the budget.
ReplyDeleteWhy would anyone care what John Brown thinks. He’s been humiliating rejected by the voters twice. The public does not want this guy around, and they don’t want him making public policy.
ReplyDeleteThis is the Worst County Council in history. They are literally trying to force a tax increase on the public a year or two before it’s necessary. Lori Vargo Heffner admits it’s her idea, and she’s working with her fellow Republicans to try and accomplish it.
ReplyDeleteFact: John Brown raised taxes so high eight years ago that McClure had eight years of a no tax increase budget. His irresponsible budget of such a large tax increase was supposed to benefit him for future elections. Instead, the electorate threw him out of office and McClure became the benefactor of the huge increase on taxes. Now, McClure sees the handwriting on the wall and is abandoning the sinking ship and leaving us with one of the worst budgets (financially) in the County's history. John Brown, The Executive who screwed his employees, retirees, and the Taxpayers is now leading the charge to destroy the economic stability for the future of Northampton County. McClure and Brown.......what a team
ReplyDeleteA tax hike is coming. I think LVH is right about that. I would have looked at raising the rainy day fund to 7%, it seemed a like a good compromise. Not a fan of TZ but she’s being left a mess by McClure.
ReplyDelete"This is not good government. It is an act of willful neglect."
ReplyDeleteMuch like using the controller's office as front to campaign for county executive?
Zrinski has no standing to lecture anyone on the wrongs of willful neglect.
Frankly, I was impressed by her last night. She was very professional but pulled no punches. She was a far cry from the Council member who wanted to save the world. She may still want to save the world but now seems to realize she has to save the county first.
DeleteAs for campaigning for one office while occupying another, nearly all full-time elected officials do this when they seek another office. Ryan Mackenzie ran for Congress while a member of the state house. John Brown ran for Lt Governor while he was county exec. What really kills me is when a candidate runs for re-election to the office he holds while simultaneously running for another office. This happens all the time even though the candidate knows he can't hold both offices.
But if you're suggesting that an elected official must resign if he or she wishes to seek another office, I have thought about this and disagree. Under your scenario, an elected official who resigns might still have been capable of performing his elected office but would have to resign and would have no income at all during the campaign. This would guarantee that only wealthy people run for office and would also deprive the public of someone who developed keen insight into the office being sought bc of his current elected position.
Brown ran for Auditor General when he was county exec. He ran for Lt. Gov. after being elected to Council.
DeleteI agree AND she's terribly incompetent. I do have to give credit to McCluless & Co. for pulling the greatest bait-n- switch on the electorate. They groomed an incompetent and immature person to the Executive's office, with the help of 2 very lazy opponents: Cusick & Giovanni. Both either raised no money or campaigned. GOD HELP US!
DeleteBOH 9:11 - I did not suggest one should resign one office to run for another office, nor I have ever said so. Candidates should keep "current office holding" and "office seeking" roles separate. I know it's common practice to use one as platform for bellyache for another but she was arrogant and egregious about it and now she wants to lecture fellow elected officials on ethics and governance. Even you pointed out that she attended events beyond what would be the scope of a controller and attended solely for the purpose of plugging her campaign.
DeleteBernie: read the book: Without Conscience. You get a better look at the behaviors of Zrinski
DeleteHare's "Without Conscience" is psychobabble. Basically, it posits that anyone you dislike is a psychopath. It offers anecdotal evidence, not statistical evidence, from a pool of convicted criminals. The vast majority of the population are people who have never been charged with a crime. This book is why I hate most of the soft science. They posit bullshit, not facts.
DeleteDo I think Zrinski marches to the beat of a different drummer? Yes. So do I. So do many of us.
Vlad, I never called out Zrinski for attending events during office hours that go beyond her role as Controller. The one event I saw her at during office hours (it was actually the noon hour) was a rally by county workers who had received a notice of furlough. Her attendance at that event was well within her role as controller since it involved the expenditure of county funds. I am sure she campaigned during office hours, if that is your point. But it's a lousy point. She clearly was a full-time controller. She might work 10 hours one day and six another. Elected officials seeking another office or re-election are often forced to campaign during office hours bc that is when many events are held. So what you are really suggesting is that an elected official who wants to run for another office should resign. That basically insures that only the wealthy run for office.
DeleteShe is by far, one of the most incompetent and immature person I've ever met. But I give McCluless credit for grooming and supporting this imposture. The nut that was acting "unhinged" is the real Bullhorn Zrinski. I guarantee you'll be writing another story like you did in '20.
DeleteBernie, you are 1 naive person- TZ is incapable of an original thought. Everything about her is controlled- her actions, speech, etc. there isn't an authentic bone in her body.
DeleteTZ has woke up and will be awesome as exec.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame we're represented by such incompetents- I never thought I'd see the day a person like Zrinski would be elected Executive, but after Brown, anything was possible.
DeleteTZ will show how little she alone knows about working with 2,000 individuals and
Deletehandling a county budget .She already has delayed information to the public during the audit. This ought to be quite a show.
When Goffredo picked up his ball and went home, who knew he'd never come back. I guess between LVH not letting him get his way AND the county telling him 'YOU'RE FIRED!" was just too much for him to bear. He really showed his true colors. Another loud mouth who just wanted to make the county/McClure look bad and never really had its best interest in mind. You really showed us! And you really cut your Republican peer's noses off to spite your face. You won't be missed!
ReplyDeleteHe needs to stay in the Slate Belt, where he's comfortable. County wide, he was out of his league.
DeleteI understand responsibilities but John Goffredo has been a wonderful member of council who has actually tried to be a voice of reason while in the midst of some truly unreasonable members of council. He’s done his best to keep his cool, even when blatantly being called a liar by Kelly Keegan. John is and has been right about Gracedale all along. No idea why he wasn’t at the council meeting but then probably neither do any of those on this blog negatively calling him out for his absence last night.
ReplyDeleteAnd the night before for the budget amendment meeting, that was important and he didn't show his face or call in. But the voters have a completely different opinion than you on his worth as a commissioner, he sucks and they told him by a ton of votes against him, I mean Nadeem beat him, Nadeem, let that sink in.
DeleteI agree that Goffredo, with whom I disagree on most things, was a dedicated member of Council. The voters did not reject him; rather, they rejected Trump and his party. Most voters do not even know who Goffredo is. This rejection of Rs occurred in municipal races everywhere. And do not kid yourself. The voters have by no means embraced the Democrats or Taiba Sultana's photographer. As for his absence on budget amendments, I suspect he had a good reason to be absent. He was present for the meetings following his election loss, so 1:46 is just a nasty person.
DeleteI think you are missing the bigger picture by saying that all Republicans lost because the voters rejected Trump. The voters are rejecting Trump, his elected Republican supporters, Republican values, and everything Republican. Goffredo was an extremist MAGA. Here's a news flash! MAGA, conspiracists, Mom's for Liberty, and all other hate groups should go back to their little hate holes where they came from. Hate hasn't worked in the long run it seems.
DeleteAnd it's funny that on one hand you say he lost because the voters rejected Trump and on the other you say the voters didn't know him.
He sucked. Brown sucked. And Tom knew to stay quiet so he didn't suck quite as much. But ya know who sucks too? You do Bernie. You want an easy way to manipulate the voters but by not having the balls to run for office. It's funny too because everyone I've ever asked if they heard of you or this blog and not one did. And I'd bet a lot of money if we did a random sample of the voters in this county over 95% wouldn't know who you are or ever heard of this blog.
Nadeem was the last Dem on the ticket, the only reason he made it was that he had the last position and nobody wanted the Republic people. I would venture to guess his appearances at county council, will add little or nothing, because he knows little to nothing about the county, nor does he understand HRC guidelines.
DeleteNow that the election has ended, please inform Tara Zirinsky and some other council people to collect their signs.
Delete3:32, Why would I want to run for office when I already hold the highest office - citizen? I believe I would be terrible as an elected official and could never get elected anyway bc of my past and be now I am far too willing to say what I think, right or wrong. I also believe that I perform the best role I can as a citizen who takes an active interest in what his government is doing and am willing to take them to task when they get goofy. I provide a forum in which we all can comment, even you. It's called participatory democracy.
DeleteBecause of your past? Have you seen some of the people getting elected these days lol!
DeleteAll Council members agree the County is financially in trouble but they agree to spend an additional 500,000 on court appointed employees who already got raises this year. This money should have been returned to the General Fund to help with the deficiencies in next year’s budget.
ReplyDeleteThis is ludicrous. Even Council bows down and kisses the ring of The Black Robe Clowns.
This decision will affect future benefits despite the representation that it will not since pension payments are calculated based on one’s 3 highest salary years. Council is worried that the pension is not being properly funded and they vote to deplete it more with higher future employee payments. Again ludicrous.
And based on Judge Dally’s reasoning, A resolution should be made that all salary allocations for non court appointed employees in the 2025 budget that was NOT spent should not be returned to the General Fund and instead should be passed along to the employees. Apples for apples.
All union departments need to attend the next Personnel Meeting and introduce resolutions of the sort.
not all council members voted to giv them 500g in raises
DeleteSorry Ken
DeleteThis was the biggest F___ You Council could give to the non court appointed employees.
This group was essentially rewarded for leaving their union and having the President Judge do their bidding.
At least you had the balls Ken to vote NO.
Council must suggest/discover additional funding to cover inequitable pay for human services and Gracedsle, it’s their job.
ReplyDeleteThe executive oversees administration concerns, the budget ,Gracedsle, 911, and 2,000 employees…that’s it…she has no say in council decision making….so let’s see if this can work according to the HRC playbook.
council does not bargain wages with employees that is a function of the county executive. maybe you should read the HRC and try to understand it
DeleteCouncil just bargained wages this past Thursday.
DeleteAll these employees were given a pay raise earlier this year along with the career service employees. The positions were currently filled and what Council did was give them a “two step” bonus even though the step system no longer exists. Judge Dally told Council to pass this and all did but Kraft. So Yes, Council did negotiate salaries; 7 of them bent over at the expense of the other 1500 employees.
Raise my taxes and I will be willing to raise hell. If Lynch needs a 21st strong male to storm the Government Center sign me up. Half a million $ raise for 30 employees is bullshit
ReplyDeleteLynch is so 2021. Neither he nor his testosterone tanked pussy boys have been relevant for years now. But go join 'em, you 21st strong male, you. Lol!
DeleteRaise taxes of course they you people voted for them.
ReplyDeleteZrinski has no choice but to raise taxes or cut more programs.
ReplyDeleteNo choice? They never offered any options for raising revenue….nothing..
DeleteIf they can’t be creative and come up with outside the realm of the budget….then taxes will go up.
332...you sound like you hate everything...so have you run for office to try to change things?
ReplyDeleteMultiple times and never lost.
DeleteWell thank you. You tried! Not worth being so negative though. Maybe you can find a way to help again
Delete10:14 only democrats.
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens when half of your neighbors are racists, fascists and neo-Nazis backing a dictatorship.
ReplyDeleteNot worthy of a reply but how does a democrat run county apply to your comment? Nd this post? Curiosity got the best of me
Delete