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Finance committee backs recommendation for BSI benefits brokerage and awards precast contract under budget for garage project

Northampton County Council (Personnel & Finance committee sessions) · February 19, 2026

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Summary

Finance committee concurred with administration recommendation to approve a benefits-brokerage contract with BSI Corporate Benefits and moved forward a contract with High Concrete Group for precast panels on a replacement downtown parking garage; High Concrete's bid came in about $4.2 million versus a $6 million estimate. BSI representatives and county HR described services and RFP response levels.

The Northampton County finance committee on Feb. 18 reviewed two administrative contract recommendations and moved both forward to full council consideration.

Mary Lou Zeiger, the county’s director of human resources, recommended renewing or awarding benefits-brokerage services to BSI Corporate Benefits, a locally owned Bethlehem firm that has served the county for more than a decade. Zeiger said BSI offers concierge services, superior stop-loss protection, advanced data analytics and COBRA administration at no additional cost and that the firm has not increased its compensation since the partnership began. "We are recommending that we go with BSI corporate benefits," Zeiger said. CEO Tony Duray and account representative Brenton Horting were present for questions. One committee member noted that 38 firms accessed the RFP while only five submitted bids and asked why participation was limited; Zeiger said procurement handles advertising and outreach.

The committee also reviewed a recommended contract with High Concrete Group to supply precast concrete panels for a replacement parking deck. Public Works staff said precast panels are the project’s longest-lead item (typical delivery 9–10 months after award) and securing the precast contract early keeps the construction schedule on track. "The bid that we received from High Concrete came in about 4,200,000.0," said the public-works speaker, noting the construction manager’s earlier estimate of about $6,000,000 for the precast. Demolition is tentatively scheduled for August with precast erection anticipated the following March; staff said they will present separate contract approvals for subsystems and a parking mitigation lease to council. Members praised that the precast bid was under budget and moved the contract forward.

Both contract recommendations will be presented to the full council for final approval and any related procurement documentation will be part of the council packet.