ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday held a first reading on a measure approving an intergovernmental agreement between Lehigh County and the Redevelopment Authority of Lehigh County.

Under the proposed agreement, the county Department of Community and Economic Development would handle most of the authority’s administrative and operational functions.

According to county documents, the agreement is intended to strengthen efforts to address blighted and underutilized properties and redevelopment projects.

The agreement would begin Feb. 1, with an automatic annual renewal unless either party provides 60 days’ notice. The redevelopment authority would remain independent and retain responsibility for its finances, contracts, policies and property acquisitions and dispositions.

DCED would provide about 35 to 40 employee hours per week for management, professional and administrative support. The department would also assist with meetings, financial management, property transactions, records, email and meeting space, according to county documents.

Brace said the arrangement would allow the county to provide resources and assistance to the redevelopment authority as it works on projects throughout the county.

“Every person deserves to live in a community that they’re proud to call home,” Commissioner Geoff Brace said.

Brace said even a relatively small investment could help properties return to productive use and eventually return to the tax rolls.

The measure is scheduled to return to commissioners Oct. 14.

Grant applications

Commissioners also approved six resolutions supporting grant applications through the Pennsylvania Gaming Local Share Account program.

The requests include $93,566 for technology upgrades at the Joint Operations Center; $1 million toward the acquisition and renovation of 31 N. Fifth St. in Allentown for the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas; $873,754 for infrastructure improvements at DeSales University; $205,204 for a new Lehigh County Emergency Management Agency vehicle; and $147,500 for dining facility renovations at the Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club.

Commissioners also approved a $671,815 grant application for a countywide police department feasibility study on behalf of the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Center. The study would examine law enforcement consolidation options aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery and reducing redundancies.

Commissioners also approved a measure providing Community Development Block Grant subrecipient funding.

Commissioner Sarah Fevig said the county largely serves as a pass-through for the funding and highlighted several projects included in the bill, including mental health therapy programs, food pantry resources and funding for Lehigh Career and Technical Institute programs serving at-risk students and providing workforce training.

“It’s a nice variety of projects I’d like to see come to fruition,” Fevig said.