Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong addressed a crowded room at Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, Feb. 21 to provide the State of the County report and to tell the public what his administration has done over the past year - and what the future holds.

The county executive, a Democrat, proposed measures that may shake up the Republican-dominated Lehigh County Board of Commissioners. Some measures include limiting commissioners to three terms, or 12 years, creating an independent ethics oversight committee and getting them out of the business of negotiating collective bargaining agreements.

His term limits proposal would directly affect long-serving commissioner Dr. Percy Dougherty, who was elected to the board in 1993 and took office in January 1994.

Armstrong’s goal in setting up an ethics committee is to ensure citizens know they have a government they can trust and that will “guarantee honesty and integrity in Lehigh County.” Such a committee would have had an oversight role in issues such as when a Lehigh County contractor made an illegal campaign contribution to a member of the board of commissioners. When the county legal office objected, the contribution was returned, and there were no legal consequences to the matter.

Returning to Home Rule language desired by Armstrong would get the commissioners out of the business of negotiating collective bargaining agreements, which he said is clearly “ineffective and has proven costly.” He said one arbitration award this year will cost county taxpayers $2 million.

Armstrong registered unhappiness with the county commissioners, who overrode his veto of the millage rate he had sought for the 2019 budget (3.79 mills). The commissioners reduced the rate to 3.64 mills, which, Armstrong argued, amounted to kicking the “can down the alley.” He said this decision by the commissioners will result in a loss of $8.3 million.

Armstrong turned his attention to voting machines. He announced the election board chose to institute a paper ballot/scanner system in Lehigh County.

This is because the state of Pennsylvania, in a reaction to nationally reported election meddling, has ordered election systems to be able to leave a paper trail. Currently, Armstrong said, there is a federal House bill proposing a paper ballot system. He said the cost would be about $3.5 million.

Armstrong also highlighted infrastructure, reminding his audience the Coplay-Northampton Bridge is in its second year of construction. It is projected to be a three-year project to replace the bridge.

“The bridge is on schedule and on budget,” he said.

It is the first in the state to use post-tension technology and the first in the county to use electronic isolated tendon technology.

He briefly discussed his plan to seek a $5-per-car registration fee that would bring in money for county-owned bridges. According to Lehigh County Director of Administration Edward Hozza Jr., municipalities could apply for funding from this program for their deficient bridges and other transportation-related repairs.

Armstrong reiterated his commitment to the Cedarbrook Senior Care and Rehabilitation Center by announcing the next director and administrator as Jason Cumello.

“Taking management in-house will be more cost effective,” he said.

Cumello will move up from his current position as assistant administrator for Cedarbrook.

Armstrong said, “In the next few months, the board of commissioners will approve the construction plan and bond financing for the $78 million expansion and renovation of Cedarbrook in South Whitehall Township.

“In 2018, we completely renovated the auditorium in the D wing. In a few short weeks, we will dedicate the space and celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cedarbrook,” he added.

Armstrong lauded Kimberly Makoul, of the public defender’s office, for installing a new case management system that “has completely reorganized the handling of individual clients.” He said the new system will improve efficiency and productivity.

Armstrong turned to the issue of drugs, alcohol and the corrections system. He said 66 percent of the county’s budget goes to public safety and law and order.

“Our corrections system is committed to reducing recidivism and providing long-term life skills to ensure that those who interact with our judicial system may go back to being productive members of society,” Armstrong said.

He credited District Attorney James Martin with using the Blue Guardian Program that provides follow-up services to people who have been administered Naloxone (also known as Narcan). Naloxone is an anti-opioid used to reverse opioid overdoses.

“I’m proud to say that we are following through on giving people who pay their dues their second chances,” Armstrong said. “We’ve sent 732 inmates to our community corrections center for employment, treatment and to find a home plan. Three-hundred-eighty-four inmates have completed programs, such as relapse prevention, Stepping Up and Parenting Program.”

Moving to the area of human services, Armstrong said his experience as county executive “has also shown me that county government is truly a safety net for those most in need and most vulnerable in our society.”

He said the state has approved a $2.3 million forensic justice plan to prevent those suffering from serious mental illness from being incarcerated and to return those who have been jailed to their communities with support.

Armstrong spoke of the need to protect and improve Lehigh County’s open spaces and its natural beauty.

“Last year, we were recognized by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania for preserving our 300th farm. We rank fourth in total number of farms preserved and fifth in total acres preserved,” he said.

Armstrong said the county has received more than $1 million toward work on the D&L Trail Gap.