Lancaster supervisors keep real estate tax at $0.55 after public hearing

Lancaster County supervisors voted Wednesday to keep the 2025 real estate tax rate at $0.55 per $100 of assessed value, rejecting an advertised 57¢ rate after a public hearing on the proposed levy.

County staff opened the public hearing on the proposed calendar-year 2025 tax levy, explaining the legal deadline to set a tax rate before the fiscal year begins. Several residents attended and spoke during the hearing. Randy Reeves, a lifelong Lancaster resident, told the board he objected to any increase, saying fixed-income retirees and working families would feel the difference of even two cents. "I would like you to consider not raising the tax rate," Reeves said.

County Administrator Gill explained the board had earlier authorized advertising a 2¢ increase as a budgeting "cushion" to allow flexibility during final budget work sessions, but that the board was not required to adopt the advertised rate. After discussion, a supervisor moved to adopt the tax rate at the current $0.55 and confirmed that all other county tax rates remain unchanged. The motion passed by voice vote.

The budget resolution and appropriation measures that followed at the meeting implemented the county’s FY26 general fund and capital improvement budgets; the approved budget reflected a 2.8% increase in expenditures over FY25 and included safeguards allowing the county administrator to reduce expenditures proportionally if revenues fall short.

The board’s action preserves the current rate for the upcoming fiscal year; any future tax changes would require a separate public process.