Chester County advances ordinance to charge municipalities for services in newly annexed areas

Chester County Council approved the second reading of Ordinance 2025-9 on a voice vote after a staff presentation clarifying the measure's intent.

The ordinance would give Chester County authority to charge municipalities a fee for county-provided public services in areas annexed by those municipalities where the county remains the service provider. County Administrator Mr. Hester said the county has hired a consultant to complete a fiscal impact analysis that will inform any fee schedule.

County staff told the council that state law requires municipalities to provide the same level of service to annexed areas as to existing residents, and that annexations can leave some services—and the costs to deliver them—on the county. The draft ordinance does not set specific fees. Hester described the ordinance as a framework that would allow Chester County Council to determine fees at its sole discretion based on the consultant's study and staff findings.

When Councilman Agee asked whether the study would produce fee estimates before the third reading, Hester said it would not; council would evaluate services and, if it accepted the consultant's fee study, would set fees in subsequent action. He added that fees could vary by jurisdiction depending on services required and any negotiated items.

The ordinance remains a draft and the county attorney and staff have asked council members to submit comments. The measure returned for a second reading with no amendment offered at the meeting. The council called the question and recorded the second-reading approval by voice vote.

The county did not provide dollar amounts or a finalized fee schedule at the meeting; Hester emphasized the study is ongoing and the schedule will be produced later for council consideration. No further timeline for the third reading was given at the meeting.

Council did not take additional action on implementation or set specific fees at this session.