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Northampton County Council approves Act 106 compliance, multiple appointments and contracts; selects new controller
Summary
At its January meeting the council adopted an Act 106 insurance compliance resolution, confirmed several cabinet and personnel appointments, approved a slate of county contracts, and selected Tim Brzezinski as county controller following presentations from four finalists.
Northampton County Council met in regular session and on voice votes adopted a series of administrative and personnel measures, including an amended Pennsylvania Act 106 compliance resolution and several appointments and contract approvals.
The council unanimously adopted an amended Act 106 compliance resolution that sets the county’s crime coverage at $1,000,000 per occurrence and approves a $5,000,000 wire‑transfer bond for select employees authorized to initiate transfers. The resolution also records statutorily required bond amounts for the treasurer ($72,000) and magisterial district justice positions. The resolution replaced a prior resolution adopted at the council’s Jan. 8 meeting and passed by 9–0.
Council confirmed a slate of executive appointments effective Jan. 23, 2026: Mark Arendt as director of administration (total salary and benefits $119,720) and Deanne Lawrence as director of corrections (total salary and benefits $109,632). The personnel measures also included a court services personnel request to add or reclassify positions tied to reentry and treatment programming and an upgrade in Fiscal Affairs that establishes a communications manager position (total salary and benefits $114,021). Council members asked for budgetary clarifications; administration said the court services hires are funded within that department’s existing budget and the fiscal position is paid from salary vacancies/attrition.
Council also approved a series of contract actions recommended by the county executive. Among them were an amendment with Hanover Engineering for the 2 Rivers Trail Gap 9A South Section and crossings, a contract amendment with MPC Inc. for registrar‑related printing (described as a grant‑eligible expense), and multiple procurements for two‑way communications and Vesta 911 systems. All listed contract items were adopted on unanimous voice votes.
In a multi‑candidate process to fill a controller vacancy, council heard five‑minute statements from four finalists—Leo Atkinson, Thomas Frumpkin, John Cusick and Tim Brzezinski—followed by member questions about audit timelines, independence and technology. After nominations and multiple voting rounds, council selected Tim Brzezinski as controller; Brzezinski said, "Thank you," upon selection. The council chair noted the appointment will be up for election in less than two years.
Most measures on tonight’s agenda passed without recorded dissent. Several council members asked for follow‑up materials on staffing ratios at Gracedale and details supporting personnel funding sources. The meeting concluded after committee and liaison reports and a motion to adjourn.
