Nonprofit staff and county human-services employees told Northampton County Council on Oct. 3 that unpaid June payments and an announced round of furloughs could force layoffs and interrupt services for vulnerable residents.

The concerns came from multiple speakers during public comment, including Kristen Bertucci, who said her small nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness and mental illness has "not been paid for at least 1 program in June" and that the organization may have to close seven programs and lay off many staff. Kezzy (Kezi) Johnson, chief shop steward for the union at the Northampton County Department of Human Services, warned, "How is this anywhere close to being safe for anybody" given the department's role in adult protective services, foster care, 24-hour crisis response and other safety-net services.

The testimony painted a picture of frontline workers worried about clients and families as well as their own livelihoods. "The first thing that all of the staff members said when they found out that they were gonna lose their job in less than a month was what's gonna happen with the people that we serve," Johnson said. Britney (Bridal) Velasquez, who identified herself as an employee of Northampton County Children and Youth, added that unpaid overtime and growing caseloads increase burnout and risk service disruptions: "We assist the most vulnerable population, and this is such a disservice to them. There'll be a lot of casualties."

County Executive Lamont G. McClure addressed those public comments in his report to council, saying he would "do everything I possibly can to make sure that that doesn't happen." Council members also discussed funding options: during the human services committee report, members said preliminary figures indicated paying the employees (with benefits) would cost about $3,000,000 per month and that the county's financial stabilization fund held a little less than $9,000,000. Committee members said they asked county staff for more regular updates on which programs have been paid and which are at risk.

Council did not take a formal vote at the meeting on restoring payments or preventing furloughs. Multiple speakers urged the executive branch and council to identify funding or administrative solutions quickly to avoid service disruptions. The council's human services committee said it will continue to gather information and report back to the full council.