Northampton County Council pulls bond off table after heated debate over $35 million proposal for parking deck, radios and capital projects

The Northampton County Council on Feb. 6 voted 7–2 to take a proposed bond ordinance with a $35 million maximum amount off the table for public consideration, reopening debate about replacing the county parking deck and related capital projects.

The motion to remove the bond from the table passed on a roll call after discussion; the tally was seven in favor and two opposed. Council members then spent more than an hour debating whether the county should seek the full amount or limit borrowing to the parking deck alone. Several councilors said the county needs a new garage for public-safety reasons and to replace a structurally challenged deck. Other members argued it is fiscally irresponsible to authorize the full amount before completing design, engineering and construction documents.

Council discussion identified a breakdown of the proposed funding that administration staff described: roughly $21 million for the parking deck construction estimate, about $6 million to buy out an existing 2021 equipment lease (associated with radios/energy equipment),…