Lehigh Valley Zoo Officials to Urge County Commissioners for Funding

Lehigh Valley Zoo officials are encouraging the public to attend the Lehigh County Commissioners meeting Wednesday to show support for a six-year funding plan for the non-profit zoo in Schnecksville.

Richard Molchany, president and chief executive officer of the Lehigh Valley Zoo, sent an email last week asking the public to encourage Lehigh County Commissioner Thomas C. Creighton of District 1 to approve the plan when it comes up for a second reading and vote Wednesday.

"The Lehigh Valley Zoo needs the continued support of ALL who care about its future," Molchany wrote. 

Molchany wants the commissioners to support an amendment to continue funding an annual subsidy to the zoo for the six years remaining on its lease. Under the terms of the agreement, the zoo would get $185,000 each year from 2014 to 2016 and $150,000 from 2017 to 2019, he said. If the zoo's finances improve, the subsidies could drop by $35,000.

The amendment would also provide $92,500 for the care of the county-owned bison and elk at the Trexler Nature Preserve.

The zoo generated $2 million in revenue in 2012 and had $1.8 million in expenses. It spent $110,000 in capital investment.

The Lehigh County Commissioners will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the public hearing room at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. 7th St., Allentown.