Lamont McClure announces that he has vetoed Bill No. 829, entitled “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR COMPENSATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THE COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON—COUNTY EXECUTIVE.”

Statement of Lamont McClure on the Return of Vetoed Ordinance

The current level of compensation for the position of County Executive in the County of Northampton is $85,000 per annum. That is $10,000 higher than the compensation the County Executive of the County of Lehigh receives.

I have performed the duties of County Executive for almost five years for this yearly salary. While my current position pays less than my previous work as an attorney in private practice, I understood when I ran for the job that public service requires a certain level of sacrifice. I believe future candidates will also agree with this and run for the office.

Reasonable people can disagree as to whether a County Executive responsible for a $500 million dollar budget and the supervision of over 2,000 employees should earn more than $85,000 a year. However, I do not believe that a 23.5% increase to $105,000 is warranted at this time.

Article 602 subsection (g)(2) of the Northampton County Home Rule Charter, authorizes and empowers the County Executive to veto any ordinance within ten (10) days of its adoption by the Northampton County Council. County Council approved this Ordinance on September 15, 2022.

Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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