Lehigh County plans to auction off bonds to get money for projects

Lehigh County has set a date for the bond auction that will get it money for capital projects including major changes to Cedarbrook nursing home and the Old Courthouse.

The bonds will go up for private sale in a digital auction at 11 a.m. Oct. 10. County clerk David Barilla described the automated bidding process as “eBay for bonds.”

Commissioner Percy Dougherty implored the other commissioners to attend.

“It’s really exciting,” he said. “It’s better than a horse race.”

Director of General Services Rick Molchany said the money would be spent as soon as it arrives in early November. Two investments worth $1 million will go toward the $47 million cost of a new wing and other work at Cedarbrook. Renovations to the Old Courthouse in Allentown — which will require approximately $8 million over the next five years, according to the county’s most recent capital plan — will see their first $2 million investment at the start of 2020.

The board also approved the ordinance authorizing the county to issue general obligation bonds. Although Wednesday’s meeting marked the first reading of the ordinance, all the commissioners approved a motion by Commissioner Brad Osborne to allow the first reading to be recognized as approval, in order to keep in time with bond market rules, Barilla said.

Commissioners also approved the county to enter a $514,500 contract with Artefact Inc. to provide comprehensive architectural and engineering services for design and construction of the Old Courthouse renovations.

“They are a local group from Bethlehem,” Dougherty said. “... That’s always good to keep the money here at home.”

Gabriela L. Laracca is a freelance writer for The Morning Call.