Northampton County Council voted Dec. 4 to adopt the county's 2026 budget as amended, approving the pay scales, capital improvements plan and millage rate after several hours of debate over specific funding requests.

The council adopted the package of budget amendments and the full 2026 budget in separate roll-call votes. The amendments package, which included a reduced allocation to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC), passed 7 to 2; the final adoption of the 2026 budget also passed 7 to 2.

Why it mattered: council members framed the votes as decisions about balancing long-term obligations and targeted local investments. Several members said they worried about pension funding, agency nurse costs, and the county's staffing and pay structure; others argued the county should honor longstanding commitments to regional partners.

Public voices and concerns: during the public comment period, Jeff Young of Suburban EMS asked the council to support his LSA application for an ambulance, describing rising per-call costs and staffing challenges. Kurt Landis, a Hanover Township resident, urged support for hotel-tax grant funding for Banana Ball, telling the council the event drew "20,200 people in attendance." Trina Johnson Brady of Wilson Area Links Coalition said LYNX programs serve "over 6,000 Northampton County residents each year." Lafayette College representatives described a trail project estimated to cost "just under $1,000,000." Those requests informed later votes on Local Share Account applications.

Contested LVPC amendment: Councilmember Mister Brown proposed increasing the LVPC allocation by $461,375 to align Northampton County funding with what the LVPC requested. Council debate focused on whether LVPC's recent lease, salary costs and staffing justified the increase and on using the county's "future grants" fund for the boost. After discussion, members amended the increase to $365,000; that amendment passed 6 to 3, and the amended funding stayed in the package that ultimately passed 7 to 2.

Other formal actions: the council unanimously adopted the 2026 pay scales for career-service and exempt employees; it adopted the 2026 Capital Improvements Plan by a 9-to-0 vote; and it approved the county's real estate tax millage ordinance as introduced (9 to 0) after rejecting an unsuccessful one-mill increase motion. The council also took the procurement ordinance off the table, debated changes and later adopted amendments (see separate coverage).

What comes next: the new budget and capital plan take effect for 2026; council members asked for improved quarterly or monthly reporting from regional partners such as the LVPC so the council can better track projects that directly benefit Northampton County residents.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance amending 2025 budget (community & economic development, public works, human services, bonds): adopted 9'to'0 by roll call (9-0).
- 2026 pay scales resolution: adopted 9-0.
- Budget amendment (heritage tours $25,000 from future grants): adopted 9-0.
- LVPC funding: original increase proposed for $461,375; amended to $365,000 and amendment passed 6-3; package of amendments adopted 7-2.
- 2026 budget as amended: adopted 7-2.
- Capital Improvements Plan 2026: adopted 9-0.
- Millage ordinance (as introduced): adopted 9-0.

Key quotes:
- "I'm averaging right now about 800,000 a year," Jeff Young said of grants he pursues for Suburban EMS, explaining his LSA request for a $260,290 ambulance.
- "The total cost of this project is just under 1000000 dollars," Mary Wilford Hunt said about Lafayette College's escarpment trail proposal.
- "I just can't see giving them a half $1,000,000," a council member said while opposing the larger LVPC funding increase.

Speakers (selected): Jeff Young (Suburban EMS); Mary Wilford Hunt (Lafayette College); Trina Johnson Brady (Wilson Area Links Coalition); Kurt Landis (Hanover Township resident); County Executive Lamont McClure; multiple council members listed by name in the minutes.

Ending: With the budget and related measures adopted, council members requested more frequent reporting from regional partners and signaled continued review of pay study, pension funding and service-delivery issues in 2026.