Northampton County Council met Feb. 3 to hear from residents and discuss a vaccine incentive for county corrections officers.

Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure presented a proposal for a vaccine incentive for corrections officers at the Northampton County Prison.

McClure explained when there is an increase in COVID-19 infections among corrections officers, the numbers also increase in the inmate population. He reported that, at last check, only 48 percent of corrections officers were vaccinated.

If 75 percent of the corrections officers get vaccinated, every vaccinated employee, including those in the 48 percent already vaccinated, will receive a 25-percent incentive pay increase for the two-week pay period directly after the vaccine majority is reached. McClure said he believes incentive pay is better than a mandate, which could be coming if the 75 percent is not reached.

Council unanimously passed the motion to approve incentive pay for corrections officers.

County council also approved a motion stating Northampton County will stand with the 2022 priorities of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Some of these priorities include supporting the mental health system, addressing the human services workforce crisis, election integrity and broadband expansion.

In other business, at the Jan. 20 meeting, council approved a motion that would divide $863,076 in grant money among 67 small businesses across the county.

Many small-business owners were present at this meeting to express their gratitude for the grant money they received. These small-business owners also urged council not to get rid of the program, which is greatly helping their income.

Councilman Ronald Heckman explained that council, at least from his perspective, has no intention of getting rid of the small-business grant program. He said he completely understands the need for it and simply wants to reconsider the distribution process.

Northampton County Council next meets 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at 669 Washington St., Easton. The meeting will also be streamed on the county’s YouTube page.