During the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners meeting March 25, Chair Geoff Brace read a prepared statement in light of the district attorney’s filing of new charges against Commissioner Zachary Cole-Borghi earlier that morning. (See story on page A3.)

“The allegations against Commissioner Cole-Borghi are very serious,” Brace said. “I will respect the legal process that will transpire. There is no mechanism for the board of commissioners to remove a commissioner on the sole basis of criminal charges. This body will move forward with its legislative duties for the residents of Lehigh County.”

Brace further reinforced he feels the decision on resignation lies with Cole-Borghi himself. When given the opportunity, Commissioner Jon Irons expressed his steadfast support of Cole-Borghi, even in light of the recent allegations. He provided a number of legislative successes that Cole-Borghi has fought for in his time as commissioner, even stating Cole-Borghi’s absence from the meeting is “a loss for the people of Lehigh County.”

On the other side, Commissioner Antonio Pineda shared his unwavering belief Cole-Borghi should resign, as the charges will “only deepen the concerns surrounding his ability to serve in this office.”

While Commissioner Ron Beitler had not previously called for Cole-Borghi to resign after the first charges were filed, he has changed his position because he now believes, he said, “Commissioner Cole-Borghi can no longer effectively perform his duties. This is not exclusively because of additional charges, but rather because in recent weeks, he’s used this dais to mount a public defense. He’s had to abstain from multiple votes related to the courts, and he’s used our public forum to criticize county officials involved in the prosecution of his case.”

George Rivera, of South Whitehall Township, took to the podium to share his own passionate beliefs regarding the matter, as well as to specifically call out the statements shared by the commissioners. Rivera depicted support of Cole-Borghi as “erroneous” and clarified, “to support someone that is poisoning their own community is ridiculous. That’s not leadership.”

In other business, several appointments and reappointments made. The motion to reappoint Joseph J. McDermott, Tammi S. Bateman and Donald Senderowitz to the Lehigh County Board of Assessment Appeals, with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029, was approved with no opposition. Kimberly Townsend was unanimously appointed to the mental health/intellectual disabilities board, with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2028.

Paul Semmel was unanimously reappointed to the Lehigh County Conservation District Board of Directors. Pineda spoke in support of Semmel’s reappointment as farmer director and noted Semmel will be 90 years old at the conclusion of his term Dec. 31, 2029. Michael Drabenstott was reappointed to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, with a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029.

Bill 2026-10 was unanimously approved to amend ordinance 2023-143. This ordinance previously authorized $62.4 million in general obligation bonds for capital projects and will now allow for $10 million of the unused money to be redirected toward the Cedarbrook completion project and investing in the Lehigh County Authority-owned pretreatment plant, which services industries in the Upper Macungie area. Several commissioners commented favorably upon both the economic and environmental benefits this $5 million investment will provide.

Bill 2026-11 approved subgrant funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to upgrade the Fountain Hill Elementary School in the Bethlehem Area School District.

Bill 2026-12 approved adding a new section to the Lehigh County Administrative Code to require annual reporting from the Office of Assessment. As was clarified several times, the bill does not call for reassessment, but better prepares the board should reassessment be necessary.

Under new business, resolution 2026-11 accepts a donation from J.D. Eckman Inc. for asphalt millings to be recycled and reused at the Jordan Creek Parkway, valued at approximately $2,800.

Resolution 2026-12 approved a professional services agreement with El Law LLC, for Attorney Edwin Leon to serve as criminal conflicts counsel. Resolution 2026-13 approved a professional services agreement with Cristina Paredes-Salazar to provide interpretation services for the 31st judicial district. Lastly, resolution 2026-14 approved an agreement with the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley Inc. to provide violence prevention counseling services for crime victims.

Brace announced resolution 2026-15, which would “celebrate the accomplishments of 4-H within Lehigh County and encourage our citizens to acknowledge and celebrate 4-H for its valuable service and continued efforts to empower youth with a foundation of success for a lifetime.” Several 4-H educators and participating youth were in attendance to share their own success stories in honor of 4-H Week.

Pineda shared some of his experiences from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania conference in Harrisburg.

The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners next meet 7:30 p.m. April 8.