County council discussed a vote on overturning a vetoed resolution and Executive Lamont McClure addressed the county’s response to the pandemic at the Jan. 6 meeting.

McClure said collaboration was a huge part of the county’s success in fighting back against the pandemic. “We’re being overwhelmed again and this has caused me to think about the necessity for the study of the creation of a Northampton County health bureau,” he said.

A request for proposal for said study was sent out Jan. 7 to organizations including Johns Hopkins University, Temple University and Harvard University. Other proposals are welcomed and will be considered.

McClure specifically wondered how much more the county could have done for underserved areas with testing and vaccinations. Bethlehem, for example, has its own health bureau, which helps the county understand how to serve those residents. A study would help determine how to integrate the rest of the county.

A health bureau would also be helpful after the COVID-19 pandemic. Immunization clinics, HIV/STD testing, communicable disease education and injury prevention are some of the many services that nearby Montgomery County’s health bureau provides.

Next, council discussed overriding McClure’s veto of a resolution increasing the salary of elected officials.

The resolution was introduced last year at the Nov. 18 meeting and adopted by council Dec. 2. It was then vetoed by McClure Dec. 10. The resolution proposes to increase the salaries of the county controller, county executive and county council members.

Per the vetoed resolution, the county controller would receive a salary of $85,000 per year. The previous controller left for a higher-paying position, but as council members pointed out, the salary would only be effective for the next controller.

The vote passed 7-2 in favor of increasing the controller’s salary.

The executive’s salary will increase from $85,000 to $120,000. The last increase for this office was about 16 years ago, however this would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2026. Some council members thought the raise was a little too high, and that $100,000 was more appropriate.

Council voted to uphold McClure’s veto, with three members voting to overturn and six accepting the veto.

Finally, council members would receive $12,500 per annum, with the president getting an extra $500. The salary has been sitting at $10,000 for around 14 years. Some council members were wary of voting on their own salary, while others thought it was fine for the fact they are “part-time.”

The override passed 6-3, and on Jan. 1, 2024, county council member’s salary will increase by $2,500.

The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m.; the meeting will be held in person at 669 Washington Street and streamed on the county’s YouTube page.