Oct. 28, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission made its pitch for money on Wednesday, as Northampton County Council tries to find cuts in Executive Tara Zrinski’s proposed $567 million budget for 2027.
The LVPC might run into headwinds, with Lehigh and Northampton counties reviewing the operations of the planning group and its increasing requests for funds.
Last year, Northampton County sent $990,000 to the LVPC. County Executive Tara Zrinski’s 2027 budget would provide $625,000, a 37% cut.
Becky Bradley, executive director of the LVPC, discussed services provided to Northampton County and to towns such as Lower Saucon Township. She said the LVPC provides training to local officials, and then Bradley hit on the hot-button issue of 2026 and probably next year.
The commission has been looking at “a lot of data-center proposals,” Bradley said.
“These are complicated, they’re not popular, the law requires us to review them,” Bradley said.
She discussed many things the LVPC does and then said, “I could keep going.”
“Well, you’re not going to,” Council President Ken Kraft said, opening the floor to questions from other members of Council.
Council member Lori Vargo Heffner asked what Lehigh County proposes to give the LVPC next year. The answer: $867,500.
The LVPC sets plans for regional land use. In most cases, it is an advisory body. It acts as a planning commission for a few small boroughs, such as Glendon (population about 400). The LVPC website lists 22 employees and its board has 37 appointed and unpaid commissioners.
The LVPC is supported by Lehigh and Northampton counties and state and federal agencies.
No decisions were made by Council about LVPC funding during the hearing Wednesday.
