EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County kicked off its 2025 budget hearing process Wednesday, telling Lehigh Valley Planning Commission it will get only a little more than half the funding it requested this year.
That revelation came during an overview of next year’s planned spending on the county’s general government program, public works department, bi-county ventures and capital projects.
Before County Council votes to enact the budget, members will hold a series of hearings working through the entire proposal.Northampton County administration
County Executive Lamont McClure this month introduced a budget that keeps property taxes flat and lays out $535 million of total spending.
Before County Council votes to enact the budget, members will hold a series of hearings working through the entire proposal.
After the county council finishes working through the full proposed budget, the body will have the chance to amend the proposal.
Amendments can only move money around; council can't increase the total amount of planned spending or change revenue projections.
McClure will have the chance to veto any budget amendment. A six-member supermajority of the council can override an executive veto.
LVPC Funding
As in years past, county administration has planned to give Lehigh Valley Planning Commission less funding than the organization requested.
The budget proposal allocates $625,000 to LVPC in 2026, the same amount the county contributed in 2025.
That would be $475,000 — 43% — less than the commission requested.
“We're just stretched really, really, really, really thin right now in addition to the cost increases, and that's why we were asking for more funds.”LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley
LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley told council the planning commission needs nearly $1.1 million next year, including $900,000 for planning work and $116,000 to develop stormwater plans and ordinances for all five watersheds serving the Lehigh Valley.
LVPC needs more funding to deal with higher costs and a flood of development in the Valley, Bradley said.
“We're just stretched really, really, really, really thin right now in addition to the cost increases, and that's why we were asking for more funds,” Bradley said.
Lehigh County, Bradley said, will contribute roughly $969,500 to the LVPC in its 2026 budget.
Northampton County Councilman John Goffredo suggested council should amend the budget to match Lehigh County’s funding for the LVPC.
Other commissioners, including Kelly Keegan and Ken Kraft, said they would not support any increase to LVPC funding.
As for other bi-county ventures, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority would see funding increase 5.5% to $701,800 in 2026, their full ask of Northampton County.
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation would see its funding stay flat from this year to next.
