Westmoreland County proposes $46.8 million FY26 budget with no change to real-estate tax rate; public hearing set for April 14

County Administrator presented the Westmoreland County proposed fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $46,800,000 and said the proposal holds the real-estate tax rate at $0.68 per $100 of assessed value while prioritizing public education, public safety, human services and buildings and grounds.

The proposal was presented at the Board of Supervisors' March 24 meeting and the board voted to advertise the tax rates on March 25, hold a public hearing April 14 and consider adopting the budget April 28. Garrett Adams, the county's budget manager, told the board the advertised rates will show “no change” and outlined the schedule for advertising and hearing public comment.

Why it matters: The budget funds schools, the sheriff’s office, emergency medical services and community partners; it also sets capital planning and staffing priorities that will affect service levels and recruitment in the coming year.

Key revenue and spending points

County Administrator said the budget projects a roughly $750,000 increase in tax revenues — primarily from new construction — an investment income increase of about $147,000 and an estimated $2,000,000 in carryover funds to apply to FY26. A land sale expected to generate about $980,000 has been assigned to Judicial Center HVAC work.

On the expenditure side, the proposal includes a salary-market adjustment with a price tag of a little over $1 million, a 3% across-the-board salary…