Chester County commissioners unveiled a $778.6 million preliminary county budget for fiscal year 2026 that holds the real estate tax rate steady while projecting a 4.7% increase in operating revenues to $666.3 million and a capital budget increase of 19.8% to $112.2 million. The proposal zeroes out any new tax hike, keeps the overall property tax rate at 5.164 mills, and signals fiscal caution due to lingering uncertainty over federal and state funding. Personnel expenses are expected to rise by 0.8%, including a 4% healthcare cost increase, while departmental earnings are projected to fall 3%. View the budget presentation here. Commissioners will review the budget at a public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Source: Chester County; 11/20/2025