Northampton County reviews court system and corrections budget; departments flag staffing and contracted costs
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Summary
County leaders reviewed the operating budgets for courts and corrections on Nov. 5, 2025, discussing intergovernmental revenue, staffing shortfalls across several departments, reliance on contracted providers for medical and treatment services, and large residential placement costs for juveniles.
The Northampton County Council reviewed the operating budget for the court system and the corrections program during a Nov. 5 budget session, with department heads outlining staffing shortages, contracted service reliance and the role of state and restricted funds.
Fiscal staff told the council that much of the intergovernmental revenue shown in the courts budget is state funding, and that the juvenile justice center receives Act 148 funding from the state. "The majority of the intergovernmental that you're gonna see here is probably gonna be for the courts," fiscal staff said (00:02:39).
Officials from corrections and court administration reported ongoing staffing gaps. The sheriff said the department is "3 or 4 positions away" from a full complement and is actively recruiting. The corrections director reported the jail census at 484 and said the department remains "50 down" relative to a full complement when using a different full-complement baseline, and that the county is aggressively recruiting at colleges and high schools.
Several departments described continuing reliance on contracted providers for inmate medical and treatment programs. Corrections officials confirmed PrimeCare provides medical services under contract (contract term noted as running through 2027), and named LEAP and Pinebrook among treatment providers. The corrections director also said the county contracts with Easton Area High School to run the jail GED program.
Juvenile services drew particular budget attention because of subcontracted placement costs. The juvenile justice director said about 10 children are in residential placements at an average cost of $4,600 per day, producing an annual cost in the "about $1,600,000.0 to $1,700,000.0" range for placement and related services (00:41:09). The director said those placements are used when youth cannot be sustained in the county's open treatment program.
The Vital Statistics Improvement Fund, maintained by the coroner's office, was described as restricted state revenue that can only be used for specific items set by statute and is audited by the state.
No formal votes or budget adoptions took place during the session; the meeting was a departmental review intended to inform later budget decisions. The council adjourned after completing the court and corrections review.