Allentown, PA — Lehigh County is taking a proactive, disciplined approach to managing public resources and strengthening the County’s financial position. As the county begins the budget process for 2027 it has enacted cost-containment and modernization initiatives designed to protect essential services, improve efficiency, and create sustainable savings.
The County is taking this proactive approach to respond to cost increases in personnel, healthcare, and operating costs, as well as the County’s preexisting structural deficit. These measures will support a stronger and more sustainable 2027 budget and beyond.
“Our goal is to modernize how the County operates, eliminate unnecessary costs, and ensure that taxpayer resources are focused where they have the greatest public benefit,” said Executive Josh Siegel. “These measures are part of an intentional effort to improve efficiency while continuing to prioritize public safety, essential services, and the needs of our residents.”
Immediate cost-containment measures
Through the end of 2026, County departments will take several steps to ensure spending is intentional and appropriately prioritized:
- Discretionary spending controls: Beginning September 9th, all departments have been instructed to defer nonessential purchases.
- Travel controls: Nonessential travel that has not already been paid for or committed will be limited.
- Vacancy review: Departments will carefully evaluate vacant for operational need before advertising an open position.
- Overtime management: Departments will closely monitor overtime reduce unnecessary or avoidable expenses while maintaining operational requirements.
Public Safety and Nursing Home positions are exempt from the hiring, vacancy, and overtime controls because of their unique staffing, safety, operational, and resident-care requirements.
Modernizing County operations
Lehigh County is conducting a full review of operations to eliminate structural inefficiencies and identify sustainable savings. These efforts will include:
- Performance and operational audits to identify unused, underutilized, or duplicative technology, systems, and resources.
- Contract reviews before renewal to evaluate service needs, pricing, terms, renegotiation opportunities, and potential consolidation.
- Utilities and energy audits to identify ways to reduce consumption and lower ongoing operating costs.
- Purchasing consolidation where practical, allowing the County to use its purchasing volume to pursue bulk pricing and other economies of scale.
- Eliminating duplication across County departments to reduce overlapping functions, streamline administrative processes, and improve coordination.
“Every organization should periodically take a fresh look at how it does business, “said Jessica Baraket, County Administrator. These are practical steps that any well-managed organization should take. “We have an opportunity to identify areas where departments can work together more effectively, share resources, and eliminate unnecessary duplication.
Protecting essential services
The County’s approach is focused on responsible management, not indiscriminate reductions. Departments will continue to prioritize public safety, resident care, legal and regulatory obligations, and other essential County functions.
The measures will remain in effect through the end of 2026, when the Administration will assess their impact and determine appropriate next steps. The County will continue working with department leaders and employees throughout the process to identify practical efficiencies and ensure that changes are implemented thoughtfully.
“Putting Lehigh County on a sustainable financial path will require a shared commitment across County government,” said Executive Josh Siegel. “By examining how we purchase, staff, contract, use technology, and consume energy, we can improve operations today while building a stronger Lehigh County in the future.”
The County will establish a process to track savings generated through its efficiency and cost saving initiatives. Savings realized will be documented and monitored. The County will report these results to the public, providing transparency and accountability and demonstrating the tangible impact of its efforts to make the best possible use of taxpayer resources.
Information provided to TVL by:
Hillary Kleinz
