Northampton County discusses $35 million bond ordinance and expansion of P25 public-safety radio system

Northampton County officials on Jan. 22 reviewed a proposed parameters bond ordinance that would authorize up to $35,000,000 in borrowing for capital projects and lease equipment, and discussed a separate plan to expand the county’s P25 public-safety radio network using 9‑1‑1 surcharge revenues for repayment.

The county’s financial adviser, Scott Scheer of PFM, told the finance committee that the parameters ordinance would set a maximum principal amount of $35,000,000 and a maximum interest rate in the neighborhood of 5.5 percent. “The main change now is that the max amount is 35,000,000, same max rate 5.5 percent or so,” Scheer said, adding that the $35 million estimate currently breaks down roughly into about $29,000,000 for various capital projects (with the bulk for a county parking project) and about $6,000,000 to refinance or purchase leased equipment taken out in 2021. Scheer said if the committee favors moving forward, bond pricing would likely occur in late February with a close in March.

Representatives from Skanska, the construction manager,…