Bradford County adopts 10-mill property tax levy, approves $89,541,034 budget; public raises concerns about employee benefits

The Bradford County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a final ad valorem millage rate of 10 mills and to approve the county's final operating budget of $89,541,034 for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2025 and ending Sept. 30, 2026.

The actions were taken in separate resolutions read into the record and approved on voice votes. Commissioner Daughtry moved to adopt the final millage resolution; Commissioner Spooner seconded and the motion carried 5-0. Later, Commissioner Spooner moved to adopt the final budget resolution; Commissioner Andrews seconded and that motion also carried 5-0.

The adopted budget figure, presented to the board as the total operating final budget including interfund transfers and bond reserves, was announced as $89,541,034. The millage resolution was described in the meeting as "a resolution of the Bradford County Board of County Commissioners adopting the final levying of ad valorem taxes for Bradford County for fiscal year commencing on 10/01/2025 and ending on 09/30/2026 and providing an effective date." The budget resolution was described as "a resolution of Bradford County Board of County Commissioners adopting the final budget for Bradford County for fiscal year commencing on 10/01/2025 and ending on 09/30/2026, providing an effective date."

Members of the public used the budget hearing to press the board for details on employee benefits funded by taxpayers. "Is there a law or statute that requires the taxpayers after we already pay your insurance, your life insurance, your retirement?" asked Beau Haston, identifying himself as a Stark resident. Haston said he reviewed the draft budget and questioned a line item he described as "hospital, employee hospital co pays," and told the board he had been told by a county staffer named Amanda that the co-pays "they're expensive." Haston asked for the dollar amounts and whether the $50,000 the county reportedly spent last year on hospital co-pays would be spent again in the coming year. He said, "That doesn't give you the right," and urged the county to make the information publicly available.

Cindy Wilish, identifying herself by address in Hampton, made a brief public comment accusing a named official of dishonesty: "You lied to us, Danny. You flat out lied to us." Pete Willis, also identifying his address in Hampton, criticized raises for county officials and said: "I'm seeing raises $25,000 a year. It's ridiculous." Willis said he and others plan to pursue additional scrutiny of the county's budget and raise the issue in future elections.

The board did not provide detailed line-item responses during the hearing. A county staff member read the title of each resolution into the record before votes were taken. The meeting record does not specify whether the county provided the precise employee hospital co-pay totals or the recipients of those benefits during the hearing; public commenters requested that information be made available.

Votes at a glance

- Final millage resolution (10 mills): Motion by Commissioner Daughtry; second by Commissioner Spooner. Vote: 5-0, approved. - Final budget resolution (FY 2025'26) — total operating final budget including interfund transfers and bond reserves: $89,541,034. Motion by Commissioner Spooner; second by Commissioner Andrews. Vote: 5-0, approved.

The meeting concluded with the chair declaring the meeting adjourned after the two resolutions were approved and no further public comments were offered.