CORRECTION: In an early version of this article, Commissioner Ron Heckman's comments about considering a county tax increase to 11.8 mills were attributed to the wrong person.
EASTON, Pa. — Northampton County Council on Thursday passed a $503 million budget for 2026, marking a historic eighth year in a row without a property tax increase.
The amended budget passed in a 7-2 vote, making for the first time since at least 1961 that the county has gone eight years without an increase.
According to a statement from County Executive Lamont McClure, the 2026 budget will see a 7.3% reduction in expenditures.
“This historic eighth consecutive budget without a tax increase proves that fiscal discipline and strong public service can go hand in hand."Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
McClure previously said the reduction would maintain essential county services, while also keeping the property tax rate fixed at 10.8 mills.
And while he has never voted in favor in a tax increase in 16 years, outgoing Commissioner Ron Heckman defended his unsuccessful move for an increase for 2026 to 11.8 mills to continue funding county operations into the future.
“My concern with the budget presented is the expenditures," Heckman said. "I think some of them are cutting it way too close. Some of them, it's optimistic at best that we'll only spend that much.
"For example, the juvenile detention center. So I don't see how we're going to make it.”
McClure commended his cabinet, the council and county employees for their partnership in delivering “responsible, stable budgets year after year.”
“This historic eighth consecutive budget without a tax increase proves that fiscal discipline and strong public service can go hand-in-hand,” McClure said.
“Our residents deserve a government that protects both their wallets and the services they rely on.
"By working together, we have returned $25 million to the people of Northampton County while continuing to invest in public safety, human services and our growing community.”
Budgets and Banana Ball
Council also approved amendments that would shift funding from the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Charities to Moravian Historical Society, Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, Easton Book Festival, SouthSide Film Institute, Touchstone Theatre and Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.
IronPigs Charities originally was slated to get $25,000, but that was reduced to $2,500, with $10,000 allotted to Moravian Historical Society, and $2,500 to each other organization.
"To have 222 rooms specifically for Banana Ball operators and have 10,500 guests coming into the Lehigh Valley from outside the region, is a significant reason, in my mind, that we ask for your support."Lehigh Valley IronPigs President Kurt Landes
During public comment, IronPigs President Kurt Landes spoke on trimming the amount allotted to his organization’s application, which would go toward Banana Ball, which he called “an absolutely incredible success in 2025.”
Landes highlighted how the event draws tens of thousands of people to the region, some of whom end up staying in local hotels, invigorating the local economy.
He said IronPigs Charities has provided about $1.5 million to Northampton nonprofits — many of which get proceeds from the hotel tax grant.
“I recognize you have a very difficult job when you look at funding decisions and hotel tax grants," Landes told council.
"But given the significance of what we provide, and that the grant itself is meant to measurably increase the number of visitors to Northampton County, I don't know where the dollars have been tentatively re-appropriated.
"But to have 222 rooms specifically for Banana Ball operators and have 10,500 guests coming into the Lehigh Valley from outside the region, is a significant reason, in my mind, that we ask for your support."
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Jeff Warren commented on reducing the IronPigs Charities allotment, stating events such as Banana Ball provide “a tremendous economic benefit for our area.”
“So I just wanted to keep that in mind for the future, that if organizations like Banana Ball want to come here in the future, they're going to want to see community-based investment," Warren said.
"I really think it's important that we keep that in mind for the future.”
Furthermore, the council increased funding for Wilson Area LINCS Family Center by $10,000.
Additional amendments
Commissioner John Brown requested moving $25,000 from Future Grants to the Bethlehem Museum and Site Heritage Concierge tours, which would elevate its funding to $40,000.
Brown also requested increasing Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s budget — currently set at $625,000 — by $461,375.
“I'm certainly willing to give them some more money. I just not ready to give them that much more money."Northampton County Commissioner Ron Heckman
Commissioner Heckman opposed that amendment, saying that “taking over a million [dollars], from Northampton County’s perspective, is a bit too high.”
“I'm certainly willing to give them some more money," Heckman said. "I just not ready to give them that much more money."
County Council President Lori Vargo Heffner offered to amend the increase to $365,000.
Commissioner Warren said he was supportive of providing the LVPC with the funding it needs based on existing agreements, though the amended figure seemed too high for him.
“However, the hundreds of thousands [of dollars], right off the bat right here, I’m not sure that I can support it,” Warren said. “Incrementally, absolutely, I think we should get to that, where we can get to… where we need to be with the agreement.
"So with that being said, I don't know if I can support this right now, and quite frankly, I wish there had been more discussion about this.”
The amendment to add $365,000 to the LVPC was approved in a 6-3 vote.
The complete package of amendments was approved in a 7-2 vote prior to the 2026 budget vote.
