Zrinski to Unveil NorCo's 2027 Budget on Friday

According to a news release, Executive Tara Zrinski plans to unveil her 2027 Budget from Northampton County on Friday, 10:30 am, at the Human Services Building, located at 2801 Emrick Blvd in Bethlehem Tp. It will be her first budget as county executive. A tax hike is all but guaranteed. 

Her proposed budget will go into effect even if it is rejected by County Council. They have the power to amend the budget but have no authority to interfere with revenue projections. 

The budget must be balanced.

Will she pay into the county's pension funds this year? Will she begin addressing the wage disparity that exists? Will she fund open space? 

Stay tuned. 

NorCo Council Adopts 2026 Budget With No Tax Hike

In his final days as a member of NorCo Council, Ron Heckman tried something he had never done before. He proposed a one-mill tax hike. Despite whatever he had been led to believe, his motion died for lack of a second. An amended budget that with a few exceptions is identical to Executive Lamont McClure's proposed spending plan, was adopted by a vote of 7 to 2. The amended budget was supported by Lori Vargo Heffner, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Corpora, Jeff Warren, Tom Giovanni, John Brown and Ron Heckman. Voting No were Ken Kraft and John Goffredo. 

The biggest amendment was for the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. It was budgeted to receive $625,000 in McClure's proposal but wanted an additional $461,000.  Council President Vargo Heffner suggested that the county provide $365,000. This is less than the planning agency wanted but would make NorCo's contribution the same as Lehigh County's contribution. This amendment passed by a vote of 6 to 3, with Kelly Keegan, Ken Kraft and Jeff Warren being the dissenters. 

The discussion that preceded this vote was pretty much along the same lines as during the budget amendment hearing last week. Ken Kraft was strongly opposed, claiming that LVPC already has a huge surplus. 

Outgoing Exec McClure was pleased at the adoption of the budget. "“From the beginning, I promised to end the over-taxation of the people of Northampton County,” he said in a news release. “Eight straight years without a tax increase, and a tax cut that returned $25 million to our residents, shows that we kept that promise.” He added that, since 1961, NorCo has never gone eight years without a tax hike. 

Future NorCo Exec Raises Concerns With 2026 Proposed Budget

NorCo Executive Lamont McClure has proposed a budget for next year, which is currently under review by County Council. Whatever they decide, incoming Executive Tara Zrinski will inherit it. And she has noticed some problem areas concerning the pension fund, stabilization fund, the elimination of two programs at the jail and county contributions for open space and a required watershed study. Here's what she has to say:

As Northampton County Controller, I have reviewed the proposed 2026 County budget and followed the public hearings over the past several weeks. While I appreciate County Council and the administration for their ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, I have significant concerns about underfunded areas that pose long-term risks to our county’s financial stability.

One of my most pressing concerns is the inadequate funding for retiree obligations, including pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) such as retiree healthcare. The latter is not as concerning because of limited eligibility for future retiree healthcare since the 2010 resolution vacating the County’s obligation to extend healthcare to retirees that don’t meet the longevity threshold.

Deferring these commitments may appear to balance the budget in the short term, though, but it places future budgets—and taxpayers—at greater potential risk. With volatile market conditions, rising healthcare costs, and the continued drawdown of our emergency stabilization fund, the county’s financial margins have grown too narrow to absorb additional shocks.

While County Council proposed an ordinance increasing the stabilization fund from 5% - 6%, they have not indicated from where these funds will arise. In order to balance the budget they have to take money from one pot and place it in that stabilization fund. I’m deeply concerned about reductions in funding to core county programs, which is already apparently happening particularly within our Department of Corrections with this current proposed budget.

The proposed elimination of programming such as LEAP and Pinebrook Services represents a step backward for initiatives that have proven effective in rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. At a moment when we are uncertain whether we can sustain payroll for essential human service employees in children and youth services into 2026, cuts to these successful programs are especially troubling. If we cannot sustain these line items this year, it calls into question how we will maintain them in future years without new or additional sources of revenue.

Additionally, the proposed budget fails to include county contributions to Open Space Initiatives or Farmland Preservation—longstanding commitments to protecting our environment and quality of life. I am also concerned that the statutory obligation to fund the Pennsylvania Act 167 Watershed Study has not been accounted for in this proposal.

My concerns are not political; they are fiduciary. It is my legal and ethical duty as Controller to identify systemic risks that could undermine Northampton County’s fiscal health. County Council has asked thoughtful questions throughout the hearings, but it will be critical that they act decisively before adopting a final budget.

I will continue to carefully analyze the proposed budget and raise awareness of any additional risks. Transparency, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability remain my top priorities as we work to secure a stable future for Northampton County.

NorCo Controller's Budget Proposed to Shrink From $987,800 to $816,500 in 2026

Northampton County Controller Tara Zrinski's budget for 2026 is $816,500, which is 17% below her $987,800 budget this year. She explained that she has eight staffers, a part-time solicitor and one vacancy.  

In response to a question posed by Council member Jeff Corpora, Zrinski conceded that she will be unable to fill that vacancy with the budget as proposed. She said she was told that the money for the vacant position might be available if "we need that staff member."

From Gracedale's Chapel, McClure Proposes His Final Budget as NorCo Exec With No Tax Hike

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."

McClure to Propose NorCo's 2026 Budget on Thursday at Gracedale

Executive Lamont McClure will propose his final budget for Northampton County on Thursday at 11 am. Since Gracedale has run at a deficit over the past two years, it's rather fitting that McClure's presentation of next year's fiscal plan will be at the nursing home. Even more fitting, it will be in the chapel. 

In his tenure as Executive, McClure has never proposed a tax hike. He actually cut taxes. But this has come at a cost to the employees, who often feel that the budgets have been balanced on their backs.   

Like every incumbent Executive, he is quite unpopular with the workforce. Nobody likes the boss. But he has fought against raising health care rates and restored many of the health benefits that were eliminated by John Brown when he was Executive. 

Once McClure is gone, he will slowly become more popular. 

I strongly doubt that his proposed 2026 budget will include a tax hike. But will he keep the rainy-day fund at the absolute minimum? Will he use funds from the county's fund balance at the end of the year to balance the budget? 

If he does, Council could consider the legality of using OPEB (other post-employment benefit) trust funds to beef up the county's fund balance because the need for those funds is reduced every year as employees have no right to post-employment benefits leave the county. It might be possible to reduce the balance of that trust. 

NorCo: McClure's Proposes $502 Million Budget For 2025

Yesterday, NorCo Exec Lamont McClure proposed a $502 million spending plan (you can see it here) for 2025. 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. 

Under our Home Rule Charter, McClure must submit a balanced budget. Total proposed spending may not exceed anticipated revenue. Also, if County Council decides to reject the budget, 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 it has 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. 

McClure's $502 million spending plan is $51 million less (9.3%) than it was last year. Interestingly, only $104.4 million of the county's budget (20.9%) comes from real estate taxes. The rest comes from intergovernmental grants, fees and fines, investment income and fund balance. 

Open Space: In his Budget Message, which he read in the above video, McClure notes that he has set aside $3 million for open space, something he has done every year. He believes this is one way that the county can slow down warehouse proliferation

Employee health center: Noting a rise in healthcare costs, he made a pitch again for a voluntary employee health center, which he believes would save money for both taxpayers and county workers. So far, County Council has been opposed to this idea. "We need to do a better job of talking about that," said McClure. He stressed it would save the county between $5-10 million over 5 years. "I don't know why you wouldn't want to do that."  

Emergency stabilization fund: This is also known as the rainy-day fund, and County Council requires a minimum balance of 5% of the total expenditures expected over the course of the year. The county has set aside $8.1 million, or 5.6% of anticipated expenditures.  

Gracedale: He noted that no county funds will be needed to keep Gracedale operational. He said the nursing home's CMS rating, based on a star system, has increased and that census is going up. 

New Parking Garage and county building needed: People who park at the courthouse's garage know that it is beginning to collapse. Oxides leaking from the garage have stained people's cars and chunks of concrete have caused damage. On top of that, the county needs its own elections office and more space for several departments. County Council has thus far refused to take up a $63 million bond ordinance that will enable the county to complete these projects, even though the county's borrowing capacity is a half billion dollars. 

McClure said the parking garage "needs to be replaced now. There are chunks of it falling down. I'm not quite sure why we're not acting on that. I think we've had the bond in front of Council six times ... and still Council has taken no action.  We know from security professionals that [the elections office] needs to all be in one place. We're doing it in four different rooms in this complex right now, and in a new building we could have elections all in one place, all transparent and accessible to everyone who needs to interface with them without having to come through the labyrinth they have to come through now to get to the elections division." He added that people are working out of closets at Human Services and that the Controller's building, which is on its last legs, lacks handicapped accessibility. He added it's too expensive to rent, as some Council members have suggested. 

Employee costs: Northampton County has budgeted for1,913 full and part-time employees, although McClure said yesterday that the total number right now is closer to 1,700.  Career service (nonunion) workers are getting a step in their PayScale, which translates to a 4.5% raise. Union salaries have also increased in accordance with collective bargaining agreements with the county's 11 unions. Yet the total cost of salaries and benefits has decreased 1.4%. In 2024, $166.2 million was set aside for salaries and benefits. But McClure has set aside $163.9 million, over $2 million less in 2025. All but one union (county detectives) are under contract. 

This might be because the county is asking employees to pay more for healthcare. The county contribution to healthcare and dental is projected to be $705,600 less this year than it was in 2024. 

Passenger Rail: McClure stated he is probably the biggest advocate of passenger rail in the Lehigh Valley but has set aside no money for it. 

Thank God!

McClure to Introduce 2025 Spending Plan at 2 PM

Wednesday, at 2 pm, Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure will unveil his proposed 2025 budget from the County Council meeting room on the third floor of the county courthouse. Will there be a tax hike? Tax cut? You can find out yourself by going in person or watching it online. 

Northampton County's spending plan last year was a half billion dollars. In his nearly seven years as Executive, he has never proposed a tax hike. He actually reduced taxes once. 

I will tell you more about the budget after listening to McClure's address. 

Under our Home Rule Charter, McClure must submit a balanced budget. Total proposed spending may not exceed anticipated revenue. Also, if County Council decides to reject the budget, McClure's spending plan automatically does into effect. Council does have the power to amend, but it must leave intact any payments scheduled for debt service and it has 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. 

The spending plan approved for 2024 is for $633,743,600.

The current 10.8 mill tax rate means that a home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill for $810. 

I do know that McClure's budget will include a step increase for career service workers 

Since next year is an election year, I doubt it will include a tax hike. 

Divided Allentown City Council Adopts Fiscally Irresponsible Budget

Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure has been taking it on the chin lately. November's election was a disaster, and it cost him his Administrator and could end up costing him a re-election. His relationship with Council, already frayed, has been damaged more as Finance Director Steve Barron is getting testy with them.  Though three new pro-McClure Council members have been elected, he still is at odds with five others. But things could be worse. He could be Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk. Just last week, Allentown City Council adopted a meaningless resolution in which three wannabe Mayors (Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach and Cynthia Mota) joined a clueless Council member (Natalie Santos) to declare they have no confidence in Hizzoner. They'll be able to put that in their negative mailers. Last night, they voted down his requested 2% tax increase for next year. I get that. But instead of dipping into unspent ARPA funds slated for nonprofits, which can be used for revenue replacement, they opted to dig the city into a hole by taking the needed $762,045 out of the fund balance. 

Of course, this vote went exactly the same way that the vote of "no confidence" went. Wannabe Mayors Ed Zucal, Cynthia Mota and Ed Zucal all proudly said No to the tax hike. Santos voted the way the triumvirate told her, once it was explained to her several times. Voting to compromise and support a 2% property tax hike were Daryl Hendricks, Candida Affa and  Santo Napoli.

I've said before that no municipality should be contemplating a tax hike until next year at the earliest. That's because, over the course of the past two years, the federal government has flooded local governments with cash under  both the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the CARES Act. Allentown received $57 million under just the ARPA.

If City Council really wanted to dodge a tax hike next year, and be fiscally responsible about it. they could reduce the $1.2 million allotment in ARPA funds set aside for nonprofits grants. Those nonprofits came out in force to heckle, catcall and demand that Tuerk be admonished last week. The three wannabe Mayors need those people as political allies when they run, and of course will be taking care of their pals with "competitive" grants. So while it might be good for the average taxpayer to dip into that nonprofits slush fund, it would be politically unwise.  The mob that turned on Tuerk could just as easily turn on them, especially if they say No.      

Instead of taking $762,045 from the money they set aside for their pals and political allies, they raided the city's fund balance, its rainy day fund. That's about the most fiscally stupid thing they could have done. 

Controller Jeff Glazier explained the idiocy. He told them that a healthy fund balance can be used for an unforeseen expense, from, flooding that seems to accompany every rainstorm in the city to real natural disasters that require an immediate response. It can be used for emergencies. But City Council is taking $762,045 from the fund balance for a recurring expense. They are digging a hole, and next year, that hole will be twice as deep. They will have to dip into the fund balance to the tune of $1.5 million, assuming it's still even there. 

"You can't tell me that makes sense," said Glazier. "It's an easy way out, but it's not a good way out." 

  

The good way out would have been to take that unspent ARPA money away from clamoring nonprofits. 

But three Council members with political ambitions have no desire to be fiscally responsible. They just want to win the next Mayoral race. 

Easton has one troublesome Council member who seems to think the city should establish an office of  foreign relations. Bethlehem has two council members who are original members of the woke brigade. But Allentown has three council members who are there for themselves and their own ambitions, not the people.

As I said before, Allentown is officially cRaZy.  

NorCo Council Approves Next Year's Budget With No Tax Hike.

Northampton County Council voted last night to approve a no tax hike budget for next year. It was supported by Council members John Cusick, Tom Giovanni, John Goffredo, Lori Vargo Heffner, Kerry Myers and Ron Heckman. The sole No vote came from Council member Tara Zrinski, who opposed Council's amendments although she was absent from the meeting at which they were adopted.  Council member Kevin Lott, whose term expires at the end of the year, was a no-show. 

The current 10.8 mill tax rate remains the same. This means that a home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill next year for $810. Three years ago, that same home would have seen a $885 tax bill. The budget is also balanced, which is a requirement of the Home Rule Charter. 

In his six years as Executive, Lamont McClure has never proposed a tax hike. Three years ago, he proposed and Council accepted a budget that slightly cut taxes. 

The spending plan invests $3 million in open space in accordance with a 2002 referendum overwhelmingly embraced by the voters to preserve farmland, protect environmentally sensitive land and maintain municipal parks. McClure hopes this investment will "slow warehouse growth." He added that he wants to "limit new development, not give it tax breaks ... ."

The budget fully funds health carte benefits for county employees even though those costs have increased dramatically with the pandemic. He dipped into the fund balance to fund health care. Unfortunately, the out-of-pocket expenses of  career service county employees will increase. McClure indicated he had hoped to reduce them, but County Council refused to fund his proposed employee health center.  He claims this "would have saved significantly on health care costs."  

As far as Gracedale is concerned, a nursing home has never been considered a core county function. But McClure refers to it as a "moral obligation, and boy, have we learned the meaning of moral obligation."  Gracedale is fully funded with no need for a county contribution in 2024. 

At its final budget hearing, Council considered and adopted a number of budget amendments to award grants to several nonprofits, mostly fire companies, who had either been denied or had never even applied. It approved a $500,000 student loan program to attract or retain employees. Zrinski and Goffredo attempted to remove the student loan program, but were unsuccessful. Zrinski voted against all budget amendments as well as the budget itself. The other seven Council members voted yes. 

Reynolds' Proposed Property & Sewer Tax Hikes Criticized in Bethlehem

In a brief blog yesterday, I told you that Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds has proposed a 2.6% property tax hike as well as an 8% increase in sewer taxes in next year's proposed budget despite receiving $34.4 million in ARPA finding from the feds. He may claim to want affordable housing, but these constant tax hikes say otherwise. Whether it's an apartment or a home, they are death by a million cuts to both renters and owners. They make homes and apartments more expensive.

Bethlehem resident Bud Hackett suggested at last night's City Council meeting that, before considering a tax hike, city officials should consider operational cuts. "If you're going to ask taxpayers to pay more, how about saying we did everything we could to cut costs?" He said one Council member (that would be President Michael Colon) has told WFMZ-TV69 that Bethlehem's proposed tax hike is actually 20% lower than other comparable cities.  He found Colon's attempt to minimize yet another tax hike "insulting." He went on to ask whether City Council "is a watchdog or an enabler."

That pretty much depends on which Council member. Members Rachel Leon, Grace Crampsie Smith and Wandalyn Enix are asking tough questions during budget hearings. The rest are certainly lapdogs. 

One differently abled resident - I won't name him - said his taxable income is just $2,000 a month. "Where is somebody with that amount of income supposed to come up with the extra money?" he asked of the proposed tax hikes.   

Dana Grubb is a former Bethlehem City employee who was defeated by Willie Reynolds in the most recent Mayoral race. He had this to say about the proposed property and sewer tax hikes: 

Four things about the City's budget that jumped out for me after the mayor's Chamber of Commerce fundraiser dog and pony show breakfast on November 14 at Moravian College:

1. If the city's finance are the best they've been "in a long, long, long time," why is a property tax increase of 2.6% needed?

2. The mayor championed sustainable revenues for his budget. One time revenues like the $34.4 million in federal ARPA funding are not sustainable revenue sources. Once it's spent, what replaces it?

3. How much of the 8% increase in sewer revenues will end up in the general fund, and not be used on capital improvements for the sewer system? It's an age old trick, increase specific user fees and then use them to bolster the general fund. Politicians get to claim no or low tax increases while still filling general fund budget holes.

4. How many and which employees are receiving increases in pay above cost of living and step increases, or reclassifications? If there are any, why hasn't a Council Human Resource & Environment Committee meeting being held to address this?

Budgets in Bethlehem (and probably elsewhere) are often a huge subterfuge, and it takes City Council Members with a a sufficient financial background to root out the tricks and hidden stuff to ask the right questions.

It also doesn't help when a mayor announces a budget one day and the next day is the first budget hearing. There is no way City Council knew enough about that budget to be well prepared for that initial budget hearing.

NorCo Council Expected to Act on Proposed Budget This Week

Northampton County Council is expected to act on the proposed budget when it meets on Thursday, When it last met on November 21, it considered a number of possible amendments at its most important budget meeting of the year. The meeting was attended by John Cusick, Tom Giovanni, John Goffredo, Lori Vargo Heffner and Kevin Lott. Three Council members - John Brown, Ron Heckman and Tara Zrinski - were absent. I find it amazing that Zrinski, the Controller elect, would fail to be present.    

Executive Lamont McClure, Finance Director Steve Barron and DCED Director Tina Smith made clear they oppose the amendments,

McClure opposes taking $1 million from Gracedale nursing. He indicated that staffing is improving, but that $1 million is needed for agency nurses.

Barron had a number of objections He opposes the removal of money from the county's fiscal stabilization account (rainy day fund) to fund student loans, claiming this is "not fiscally responsible." He opposes increasing fundingt o Lehigh Valley Planning Commission because they refuse to disclose their salaries (Lehigh Valley Planning Commission gave me a thorough answer of wages paid when I asked for them.) He also objected to the "musical chair of grants" to organizations in which "they, family or friends are affiliated."  He went on to accuse them of funding their own self-interests. 

That is a serious accusation, If true it would violate the Ethics Act. But Barron provided no details. Council member John Goffredo later stated he is an unpaid volunteer firefighter, but Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni told Goffredo that he has no conflict. So what the hell was Barron talking about? He even said state police are involved in an investigation of one volunteer fire company in a rather ugly attempt to paint Council members as crooks.

When County Council members complains that they are being treated like garbage, I can see what they mean. You can't expect a legislature to cooperate with you when you attack their integrity with no basis. 

Barron owes County Council an apology.

Tina Smith also objected to grants being awarded to entities that never bothered to apply for them. Kevin Lott noted that doing so undermines the entire grant process and is a disservice to organizations that did their due diligence. 

Amazingly, one of the grants that Council wants to fund will go to Lou Pektor. It is illegal to award a grant to a for-profit entity. 

Council member Lori Vargo Heffner explained that grants to Lower Saucon Fire Rescue ($20,000), Hellertown Library ($10,000) and Saucon Valley Community Center ($5,000). Her rationale is that these entities are under incredible pressure as a result of friction between Hellertown and Lower Saucon.

DA Terry Houck Seeks Raises For Three Assistants in His Last Budget Request

NorCo DA Terry Houck presented his last budget to County Council on Wednesday. In it, he is seeking raises of a little over $31,000 for three experienced prosecutors. They were removed by the Executive, so he made a personal appeal to include them.

Fiscal Director Steve Barron explained why the request was panned. First, he noted that a new DA will be taking over in January. Second, he noted that Houck's budget has gone up every year since he's been DA. Third, he said it was "good government" to deny the raises because $400,000 has been invested in salary increases over the past two years and people are still leaving. He said assistant DAs have been given three steps amounting to 13% over the past three years while other career service (nonunion) employees received 9%. "From a good government stand point, I just couldn't put that in the budget.

Houck disagreed.

Noting that Barron never called him on this matter, Houck stated  that "good government is relative to who's speaking."

Houck noted that he currently has 10 vacancies among the 21 prosecutors for his office. He recently lost three prosecutors in one week to the US Attorney's office, which is both more prestigious and far more remunerative. He lost another prosecutor to Lehigh, which pays $4,000 more to entry-level assistant DAs. Instead of comparing the salaries of assistant DAs to other county employees, Houck said Barron should compare them to the salaries paid to prosecutors in other counties. He said that would be "good government." 

"This is not a big deal," noted Council member Ron Heckman after Houck explained that the raises could be funded in one pay period from the salaries and fringes for vacant prosecutor positions. 

"I think we should consider this - I would support it," added Council member John Cusick. 

The only remaining question is whether Houck should rely on a Council member to propose a budget amendment or if he should just seek the raise now.

In response to questions from Council member Lori Vargo Heffner,  Houck stated that his budget includes $100,000 for the regional crime center (known as the RIC) as well as $40,000 for the forensic center at DeSales University. 

Houck stated that he is seeking no money for a child advocacy center, but "the importance of a child advocacy center cannot be understated here." 

He said there are plans in the works for a county child advocacy center, but they are being finalized and incoming DA Steve Baratta should make that call. 

In light of the complaints that Council received from parents falsely accused of child abuse, Cusick stated that he would prefer to "have our own or not be involved in Leigh (Valley Health Network) at all."

LVPC: 13 Million Sq Ft in Warehouse Space Proposed in NorCo

At their first budget hearing concerning Northampton County's $577 million budget for next year, County Council heard from Lehigh Valley Planning Commission's (LVPC) Matt Assad. He told them that, with two months to go this year, developers have proposed 13 million sq ft in warehouse development. This is all located within the county. Assad indicated that housing development is down, but commercial development is spiking in the county at a level not seen since 2008. 

"This is crazy!" exclaimed Council member John Cusick who said he was "stunned" by the square footage sought. 

LVPC is budgeted for $605,000 from NorCo for next year, the same amount it received this year.  That's $95,000 less than requested,.

In contrast to LVPC, Lehigh and Northampton Transit Authority (LANTA) is looking for an increased contribution. It was awarded $582,600 in 2023, but wants $642,800 next year. LANTA Exec Director Owen O'Neill told Council that he plans to acquire 13 new buses next year to replace those past their useful life of 12 years. 

O'Neill told Council that LANTA ridership is at 95% of pre-pandemic levels.   

What else was learned during the budget hearing?

Revenue Down in Recorder of Deeds:  The Recorder's Office was expected to take in $2.1 million this year in various recording fees, but fell about  $0.5 million short. Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron told Council that high interest rates have slowed the real estate industry, and he expects that to continue next year. He added that there are a higher number of people delinquent in tax payments than has been the case in previous years. "People we have not seen before are getting payment plans," he observed. "You'd be surprised."

The County is Sitting on $1 million in uncommitted American Rescue Plan Act funds: The County has until the end of next year to spend or commit that money. Barron said it would likely be claimed as replacement revenue. 

It's possible that County Council could try to grab some of that money for programs it wants to fund. 

Cusick Wants to Find Money to Fund Student Loans: Though Cusick failed to get the votes for a student loan program last year, he vowed to try again, arguing it would help the county recruit and retain staff, 

Juvenile Justice Center Will Cost $4.1 Million Next Year. - That's a $350,800 increase (9%) over what was spent this year. 

Nonunion staff will pay more for health care: Human Resources Director Mary Lou Kaboly said that increases in health care costs will be imposed on nonunion county workers. Union workers are protected by negotiated contracts. 

There are currently two plans (PPO and HSA) in place. Participants in PPO plans will pay 1% more of their salary, while those in HSAs will pay 0.5% more.

Deductibles will increase as well.

PPO participants currently have a $400 (single) and $800 (family) deductible. That will increase to $1,500 (single) and $3,000 (family).

HSA participants currently have a $2,000 (single) and $4,000 (family) deductible. That will increase to $2,500 (single) and $5,000 (family). 

UPDATED 9:15: I originally reported that LVPC had requested $605,000, but it had actually requested more money.

NorCo Executive's 2024 Budget Address

Fiscal Affairs Director Steve Barron introduced Executive Lamont McClure, for his brief budget address. He said the budget was prepared under three guiding principles: (1) keep taxes stable; (2) fully fund open space initiatives; and (3) keep Gracedale county-owned and operated.

In his address, McClure stated that taxes will remain stable in his 2024 budget (no tax hike). The 10.8 mill tax rate means that a home assessed at $75,000 will receive a tax bill next year for $810. Three years ago, that same home would have seen a $885 tax bill. The budget is also balanced, which is a requirement of the Home Rule Charter.

The spending plan invests $3 million in open space, which puts him at an $18 million investment in open space since becoming Executive. This is in accordance with a 2002 referendum overwhelmingly embraced by the voters to preserve farmland, protect environmentally sensitive land and maintain municipal parks. McClure hopes this investment will "slow warehouse growth." He added that he wants to "limit new development, not give it tax breaks ... ."

The budget fully funds health carte benefits for county employees even though those costs have increased dramatically with the pandemic. He dipped into the fund balance to fund health care. In addition, the out-of-pocket expenses of county employees will increase. He indicated he had hoped to reduce taxes, but that was impossible because County Council refused to fund his proposed employee health center, which he claims "would have saved significantly on health care costs."  

As far as Gracedale is concerned, a nursing home has never been considered a core county function. But McClure refers to it as a "moral obligation, and boy, have we learned the meaning of moral obligation."  But Gracedale is fully funded with no need for a county contribution in 2024. 

The budget calls for funding for aging infrastructure, including the parking deck and jail. 

Now that the budget has been proposed by the Executive, it is up to County Council. There are usually five hearings, followed by possible amendments. They must act by December 16 or McClure's budget is automatically adopted. 

Council can reject the budget. But under our Home Rule Charter, that also means McClure's budget will be automatically adopted. 

What Council can do is amend the budget although they are prohibited from interfering with the Executive's revenue projections. If they want to fund something, they will need to cut somewhere else. 

McClure to Unveil NorCo 2024 Spending Plan Today

Today, at 10 am, Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure will unveil his proposed 2024 budget from the  County Council meeting room on the third floor of the county courthouse. You can watch it in person or online.  

Northampton County's spending plan last year was a half billion dollars. In  his nearly six years as Executive, he has never proposed a tax hike. He actually reduced taxes once. 

I will tell you more about the budget after listening to McClure's address online. I mistakenly thought his address was this time last week, and only realized my error after I was halfway to the courthouse on a bus.  This time, I'll watch it on Youtube. 

McClure's spending plan becomes official if County Council adopts it. It even becomes official if it is rejected. It does have the power to amend the budget, but is unable to interfere with the Executive's estimates of revenue. Thus, if they wish to fund something they want, they need to find some place to cut. 

Updated: McClure to Unveil NorCo's Proposed 2024 Budget Today

Today, at 10 am, Northampton County Exec Lamont McClure will unveil his proposed 2024 budget from the  County Council meeting room on the third floor of the county courthouse. You can watch it in person or online. 

Northampton County's spending plan last year was a half billion dollars. In  his nearly six years as Executive, he has never proposed a tax hike. He actually reduced taxes once. 

I will tell you more about the budget after listening to McClure's address. 

UPDATED: As most of you know, I'm an idiot. The budget presentation is a week from today, not today. 

Bethlehem Tp Proposes Budget With No New Taxes

At the Commissioners' meeting last night, Manager Doug Bruce unveiled a proposed budget $19M budget for next year. The good news? His spending plan seeks no tax hike. The bad news? He is deficit spending  To balance the books, he will dip into the Township's rainy day fund to the tune of $1.77 million. He still projects a $2.97 million fund balance at the end of next year, but warns this structural imbalance will ultimately result in a tax hike.

There will be a three per cent sewage treatment rate increase next year. This is because Bethlehem City increased its sewage treatment rate to 8.4%.

Employee wages and benefits account for 60% of the budget. Bruce explains that the Township has decreased its full-time workforce from 93 to 85 over the past decade.

As a result of contractual obligations, Teamster and police union workers are slated for a 3.5% raise next year. Employees who bargain through AFSCME will get a 3% hike. Bruce proposes 3.5% for the Township's non-union workforce.

If approved, the millage rate will remain at 7.74 mills. This means a home assessed at $50,000 will see an annual tax bill of $387.

Budget hearings, which are open to the public, are scheduled at the municipal building as follows:

Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The first public reading of next year's budget will take place on November 18, after which the budget will be advertised and made available for public inspection. A final vote is scheduled December 16.

Commissioners Malissa Davis and Janice Blake were absent.

Osborne Opposes 5.5% Tax Hike

Blogger's Note: Below is an op-ed by Lehigh County Comm'r Brad Osborne. It first appeared in The Lehigh Valley Press on October 3, 2019.

For the second consecutive year, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong has delivered a budget with a tax increase to the county board of commissioners.

Last year, a 4.1-percent tax increase was proposed, with the administration stating it wasn’t necessary for 2019.

This year, the administration proposed a 5.5-percent tax increase based on its five-year financial forecast, and again an increase in this amount is not necessary to fulfill the county’s responsibility to the community in 2020.

What is going on?

Frankly, this year’s budget is designed to conform to a predetermined outcome ignoring historical data.

Last year, for instance, the county came in $9 million better than projected.

No one is to blame for this variance as it is obviously difficult to project revenue and expenses in advance. Also obvious, we are not quite ready to tax our citizens five years in advance of our knowledge base.

The fact that we started 2019 with a rainy-day fund exceeding government standards by more than 25 percent and came in $9 million better than projected last year should be all the evidence anyone needs to be convinced the county should take this year by year.

Can you imagine what shape our families would be in if we allowed every school district, every municipality, our state and federal government to overtax us like this?

I oppose this overtaxing for the unnecessary burden it would put on our community.

Please call the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners at 610-782-3050 or attend the 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 meeting to let your elected officials know your thoughts.

Trump Spendthrift Budget

After a weekend of bizarre tweets, authoritarian Donald Trump has sent Congress a 2020 budget that hardly has the fingerprints of a conservative. He wants to add $4 trillion to the deficit. He has proposed draconian cuts (31%) in domestic spending on programs that assist the poor. At the same time, he wants to increase defense spending by five per cent. The only reason people have refrained from going nutz over this spending plan is because it will never be adopted.  It is more of a re-election gimmick than an attempt at good government.