‘There are some questions we need to have answered’: Counties seek outside look at LVPC | Allentown Area

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A commission charged with reviewing the Lehigh Valley’s growth is now facing a review of its own.

Lehigh and Northampton counties are joining together to pursue an independent review of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, as county leaders question rising funding requests, employee retention and whether the organization’s operations and services justify the level of taxpayer support.

The LVPC was created by the two counties 65 years ago to help guide growth across the region. Today, its staff reviews major development and zoning proposals and compiles data and studies involving housing, transportation, traffic and development.

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel said Lehigh County budgeted $867,500 for the Planning Commission in 2027, well below the nearly $1.2 million LVPC requested.

The commission’s request is nearly double the approximately $605,000 it sought from Lehigh County in 2024.

Northampton County also received a substantially larger funding request, with LVPC seeking nearly $1.5 million from that county for 2027.

“This is not to impugn the management of money,” Siegel told 69 News. “The Planning Commission manages its money appropriately. This is an independent and systemic performance review of the organization as a whole, because there are really some questions we need to have answered.”

Those questions, Siegel said, include why the commission’s funding requests have risen so sharply, what he describes as frequent employee turnover, and whether all of the organization’s studies and work products are necessary.

Both Siegel and Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski already serve on the Planning Commission. Despite their direct involvement with the organization, the counties say an independent third party can provide an objective examination of its finances and operations.

The review is expected to examine the LVPC’s financial management and sustainability, staffing and employee retention, organizational efficiency, service delivery, regional support and governance dating back to 2022.

The counties are also considering having the outside team compare LVPC with similar regional planning organizations and conduct confidential surveys of employees.

In a statement to 69 News, the Planning Commission pointed to the counties’ existing role in its oversight.

“The LVPC has monthly public meetings to review our budget, workplan and work products,” the statement read. “In fact, both county executives are members of the LVPC’s Executive Committee, Full Commission and the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study.”

LVPC also noted that county officials help appoint the members of the commission.

“The LVPC works hard to adhere to the organization’s mission, law, and requirements of these statutes with work performed by trained, qualified professionals,” the commission said. “We consider the counties partners in serving the people of the Lehigh Valley, and we are very proud of the efficiency in which we do this.”

The commission said its services and work products have demonstrated that value throughout its 65-year history and said it will continue working with both counties.

County officials have stressed that the review is not based on a predetermined conclusion that LVPC is mismanaging money or should receive less funding.

Siegel said he will stand by the findings once the outside examination is complete.

“I think once we determine what an objective standard of support is, you know, let’s say it’s $1.50 per county resident, they’ll know that’s their budget and they need to work within that, right?” Siegel said.

The review comes as both counties face broader budget pressures. Siegel has warned Lehigh County property owners could face a significant tax increase in 2027, while Zrinski has said a tax increase is also likely in Northampton County.

Siegel stressed, however, that the amount Lehigh County is providing to LVPC is not driving the potential county tax increase.

County funding is also not LVPC’s only source of revenue. The organization receives additional money through state and federal grants and other funding sources.

The counties have said the review is intended to determine whether the current funding structure is sustainable and whether taxpayer dollars are producing measurable benefits. Officials said the findings could support continued or additional investment, identify potential savings or lead to changes in the way the organization is funded.

Siegel said the review is expected to take approximately six to eight months.

69 News also reached out to Zrinski for an interview but did not receive a response.

The counties expect to finalize the formal scope of the independent review in the coming months.