Northampton County Council met Jan. 6 to hear county Executive Lamont McClure’s report and vote on overturning a vetoed resolution.

McClure discussed the county’s response to the pandemic from the beginning. Collaboration was a huge part of the county’s success in fighting back against the pandemic, he said.

“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,” McClure said.

A request for a proposal for such a study was sent Jan. 7 to specific 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 that 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 the nearby Montgomery County’s health bureau provides.

Also at the meeting, council discussed overriding McClure’s veto on a resolution increasing the salary of elected officials.

The resolution was introduced at the Nov. 18, 2021, meeting and was adopted by council Dec. 2, 2021. It was then vetoed by McClure Dec. 10, 2021. 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.

Seven council members voted yes and two voted no, meaning the veto was overturned, and the controller’s salary will increase.

The county executive’s salary would increase from $85,000 to $120,000 per annum, according to the resolution. The last increase 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 instead thought $100,000 was more appropriate.

County council voted to keep McClure’s veto, with three members voting to overturn and six accepting the veto.

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 due to the fact they are part time.

Six council members voted to override the veto, and three voted to keep it, meaning starting Jan. 1, 2024, county council members’ salaries will increase by $2,500.

Northampton County Council will meet next 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Northampton County Courthouse, 669 Washington St., Easton. It will also be streamed on the county’s YouTube page.