EASTON, Pa. – Northampton County Council’s last meeting of 2025 on Thursday was a night of good-byes.

Four commissioners will not return in the new year: Republicans John Brown and John Goffredo did not win re-election in November, and Democrats Jeff Corpora and Ron Heckman did not seek re-election.

Council President Lori Vargo Heffner read aloud a proclamation and presented plaques to Corpora, Brown and Heckman; Goffredo was not at the meeting.

Heckman has completed two stints on county council for a combined 16 years on the board. In between, he served as the county’s director of human services and also worked in Lehigh County government.

He spoke briefly on Thursday night, recalling his first election victory in 1989, where ten Democrats were running in the primary election for Northampton County Council. “I told my wife, my biggest fear was that I’d come in last. So, I worked hard in that race.” 

But now, 36 years later, Heckman said, it’s time to move on and make way for “fresh blood” on the board.

Vargo Heffner was among those who thanked Heckman. “I don’t trust anybody else’s opinion here as much as I do you,” she told him, “Because it always comes from a good place and a heartfelt place, and you just really have taught me how to appreciate what this position is.”

Council also recognized its solicitor, Christopher Spadoni, who will be retiring in 2026.

In addition, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure gave his last report to council. He said his administration is leaving the county in sound financial shape. “We anticipate that when the books close in February, we will have $37 million to $40 million in cash,” he said.

In addition, the county has approximately $1.2 billion in borrowing capacity, McClure said. “This comes despite the fact that we built a forensic center, and we borrowed money to ameliorate a 50-year-old, crumbling (parking) garage. So, the $1.2 billion is more than adequate for future executives and councils to do whatever they need to do in terms of the public works of Northampton County.”

Democrat Tara Zrinski, who defeated Tom Giovanni in the November election, will take the reins as county executive in the new year. Giovanni, a current county commissioner, will be the only Republican on the board come 2026. 

Democrats David Holland, Jason Boulette, Theresa Fadem and Nadeem Qayyum were all elected to county council in November. Vargo Heffner was the only incumbent who retained her seat. 

McClure, a Democrat who previously served on county council, has been in the executive role since 2018. He’s seeking Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District seat, which will be up for grabs next year. The seat is currently held by Republican Ryan Mackenzie.  

Other business

Northampton County Council also approved the following transfers from its 2025 contingency account:

– $5,000 (increased from $3,000) to the Center for Animal Health & Welfare

– $5,000 to the Northampton County Department of Public Works for the completion of the Grace Packer Memorial Area outside the Northampton County Human Services Building

– $10,000 (lowered from $22,500) to the IronPigs Charities Banana Ball World Tour 2026

– $10,000 to Meals on Wheels

– $20,000 to the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity for costs associated with the installation of new ADA-compliant doors at the main entrance 

– $5,000 to The Miracle League of the Lehigh Valley

– $10,000 to the Nazareth Borough Police Department for costs associated with starting a K-9 program

– $5,000 to the Saucon Valley Community Center Senior Center

– $15,000 (increased from $10,000) to Sights for Hope