EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Council on Thursday voted down a measure recommending the county keep more money on hand in case of emergency, fearing it could add new pressure to an already strained county budget.
Though the measure failed in a 4-4 vote, it showed several members’ — and the incoming county executive’s — concern about Northampton County’s financial position going into next year.
A county ordinance adopted in 2010 recommends that county officials keep at least 5% of the county’s budgeted general fund spending in its financial stabilization fund.
This month, council President Lori Vargo Heffner introduced a measure raising that recommendation to 10%.
The ordinance voted down Thursday would have raised that recommended minimum to 10% starting with the 2027 budget.
County Executive Lamont McClure’s proposed 2026 budget spends $11.13 million from the county’s financial stabilization fund, leaving $8.4 million — 6.4% of total general fund spending — for a future rainy day, according to budget documents.
The proposal also draws down $3.3 million from the general fund.
'Hampering future councils'
Opponents of the measure argued it would hamstring the next administration by forcing major cuts or a tax increase to free up nearly $6 million for the stabilization fund.
“I think this puts us in a fiscal and public policy noose,” Commissioner Jeff Warren said.
“I understand the initial overall concern, but we are going to be hampering future councils, we're going to be hampering future administrations.
"Inevitably, we're going to be hampering our taxpayers.”
"Just because you balance the budget by putting zeros in and not funding programs doesn't mean you've created a good, solid budget."Northampton County Controller and County Executive-Elect Tara Zrinski
County Controller Tara Zrinski, who will be sworn in as county executive in January, told commissioners ahead of Thursday’s vote that raising the required stabilization fund balance would squeeze her administration, which may find itself without enough revenue even with current reserve requirements.
McClure’s proposal does not include a contribution to employee pensions and omits funding for several programs, including farmland preservation and the county’s open space initiative, which Zrinski intends to resume.
“Just because you balance the budget by putting zeros in and not funding programs doesn't mean you've created a good, solid budget,” Zrinski said.
“This ‘balanced budget’ is balanced by not funding things, and to me, that puts not only myself, but the future council in a precarious position.”
'Have to raise revenue'
Additionally, Zrinski said she believes the county is required to fund a pair of programs McClure cut in his 2026 budget proposal, a contention McClure disputes.
Those problems come down to how the county’s elected officials have managed money and prioritized spending, according to Zrinski.
"We're going to have to raise taxes anyway – I'd say just plan on it, it's coming, whether it comes this year, next year, or the year after."Northampton County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner
“I'm not saying that Mr. McClure's priorities were wrong… I think a lot of good came out of his administration,” Zrinski said, pointing to his success in preserving farmland as an example.
“We just reached 20,000 [preserved] farms, but once you have your 20,000 farms, don't leave nothing for the next person, and that's what I feel has happened.”
She said no county can sustain a budget balanced by spending its fund balance and putting off pension contributions forever. As a result, the next county executive likely will need to cut spending, ask the county council to raise taxes, or do both by the end of her term.
“They're going to have to raise revenue in some way, shape or form," Zrinski said. "And if this Council doesn't have the courage to do it, the next administration, the next council, will most likely have to do it."
Some county council members, among them Council President Lori Vargo Heffner, also predicted a tax increase in Northampton County’s near future even without higher emergency reserve requirements.
“We're going to have to raise taxes anyway," Vargo Heffner said. "I'd say just plan on it, it's coming, whether it comes this year, next year, or the year after.
“Hopefully we could find other ways to get revenue, or we're going to have to make serious cuts.”
McClure defends budget
McClure defended his proposal, saying he successfully created a budget that prioritizes keeping taxes flat, keeping his promise to county residents.
“The county executive-elect is going to get to put her stamp on county government," McClure said. "If she wants to raise taxes, she'll be able to do that in 2027.
“In 2026, they're not going to need to raise taxes, and they're going to have a balanced budget. What they're going to do in 2027 and beyond — we have one county executive, that's up to them.
“That is not my problem, my problem is 2026.”Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
“That is not my problem, my problem is 2026.”
County pensions currently ae over-funded, McClure said, and skipping a contribution this year brings the pension fund closer to ideal levels.
McClure said spending money from the general fund and stabilization fund is part of a plan to address “over-taxation,” a result of prior administrations squirreling away too much tax revenue.
Despite their issues with the budget, county council will consider only minor amendments to McClure’s proposal at a meeting in early December.
On Thursday, the council introduced an ordinance setting next year’s property tax rate at 10.8 — the same levy as in 2025, and the same rate McClure proposed.
