Northampton County Exec Tara Zrinski will be proposing her own amendment to next year's spending plan at a news conference tomorrow, 1 pm, at Council's meeting room. She initially proposed what amounts to a roughly 43.5% increase in property taxes, increasing the millage rate from 10.5 to about 15.6 mills. It has been deeply unpopular and I'm unaware of any Council member who supports it.
During the course of budget hearings, administration officials have said they've already made revisions. For example, the $12 million initially slotted for Gracedale had been reduced to $9.9 million. Also, at a recent Retirement Board meeting, Council members Ken Kraft and Lori Vargo Heffner have signaled there is no money for a COLA (it would cost $14 million in addition to $21 million still owed for previous COLAs). It appears doubtful they will agree to add much more to a pension plan that was nearly fully funded (92%) at the beginning of the year.
As County Council has requested information looking for areas to cut, Administrator Mark Aurand mistakenly sent them an email accusing them of "enjoying the power rush this whole process is giving them way too much. We may need to pick a spot to say no just to reel this in a bit."
At a County Council meeting and on social media, including the county's own Facebook page, the public has expressed considerable opposition.
Hopefully, Zrinski will propose a tax hike more in line with what the public and Council is willing to accept.
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