Lehigh County plans to save more farmland

Lehigh County intends to preserve more farmland in the coming years, but which kind?

That question came up last week during a discussion about the county’s emerging $57 million, five-year capital plan, which covers everything from fixing bridges and strengthening computer software to new appliances at Cedarbrook, the county nursing home.

The county’s farmland preservation plans involve adding 1,750 acres, at a cost of $10.6 million, to the 23,000 acres set aside so far. Of that cost, $7.6 million will come from the Pennsylvania Agriculture Fund and the remaining $3 million from the county.

Two commissioners debated the type of farms that should be preserved at a meeting Wednesday.

Commissioner Brad Osborne argued larger, adjacent farms should be preserved for functionality and easier cross-farm transport, while Commissioner Percy Dougherty said small farms are more productive and beneficial to citizens.

“We should invest in preservation rights where it makes most sense — away from largely residential and commercial areas so that we don’t continue to push development into our rural communities where farming can be done much more efficiently,” Osborne said. “Absent this approach, we inadvertently encourage urban and suburban sprawl and disjointed landscapes.”

“[The county] is encouraging small farms … that have people, especially minorities, involved in agriculture,” Dougherty said. “The idea is to get people involved in agriculture to farm those small farms [because] those small farms are so much more productive.”

He also noted properties adjacent to farms have increased property value.

Among other topics and priorities in the plan:

Improvements to Cedarbrook, the county nursing home, are expected to cost about $6.2 million, excluding major renovations taking place this year. They include a Wi-Fi and technology upgrade, heating/air conditioning repairs in the D-Wing, and routine replacement or repairs to such food service items as freezers and dishwashers.

Computer software and hardware upgrades will consume $5.2 million and help with management and planning of county government in general and the jail in particular. Improved system and internet security measures are a priority.

The county jail’s $4.8 million budget also includes improvements and repairs to hot-water and heat-producing systems as well as the facility’s roof. Smaller costs include buying body scanners to detect contraband, parking lot repairs, and inmate calling system and intercom system improvements.

The county could take out bonds to pay for the capital plan over time, suggested Director of General Services Rick Molchany, with higher-priority matters coming in the first phase, such as Cedarbrook improvements, jail repairs and the computer update.

County commissioners spent several hours this week discussing priorities. They have until Wednesday to offer changes to the plan for further discussion and votes.