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In his second term leading the County of Northampton, County Executive Lamont G. McClure presented his seventh budget on Wednesday, October 2, in Council Chambers at the Northampton County Government Center.
The proposed 2025 budget, amounting to $502 million, is balanced in accordance with the Home Rule Charter. The budget reflects a 9% reduction in spending while maintaining essential county services and does not increase real estate taxes, with the tax rate remaining at 10.8 mils for the upcoming year.
Budget priorities outlined by Executive McClure include:
- Environmental Protection: The budget allocates an additional $3 million for the protection of farmland, open space, and environmentally sensitive areas. This investment will combat the proliferation of warehouses and is part of Executive McClure’s commitment to invest $25 million by the end of 2025 in green space preservation.
- Healthcare Cost Management: The McClure Administration has proposed the establishment of an Employee Health Center to provide cost-effective healthcare solutions, benefitting both employees and taxpayers. The Employee Health Center will reduce the tax burden on residents while delivering essential healthcare services.
- Commitment to Gracedale Nursing Home: The Administration’s commitment to Gracedale to remain county-owned and county-operated without contributions from the Northampton County General Fund.
- Infrastructure Improvements: The budget includes plans for upgrades to the county’s aging facilities, prioritizing a new office building and parking deck at the Government Center. These improvements are designed to modernize operations and enhance transparency in services provided to residents.
The Budget Address is available on the County’s YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/
The $502 million 2025 Proposed Budget is available on the Fiscal Affairs website:
https://www.norcopa.gov/
The budget now goes to Council.
Information provided to TVL by:
County of Northampton
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/
