Lancaster mayor unveils 2026 budget; council approves first standalone capital budget ordinance

Mayor Saracic introduced Lancaster City—s 2026 budget and the city—s first comprehensive capital plan at the Sept. 23 Lancaster City Council meeting, and council approved the capital-budget ordinance on final passage later in the legislative agenda.

Saracic told council the 2026 general fund projects $81.8 million in revenues and $81.7 million in expenses and that the administration is not proposing an increase in property taxes or the earned-income tax for 2026. "No property tax or earned income tax increase is proposed," Saracic said.

The nut of the administration—s message is the paired introduction of earlier budgeting under the Home Rule Charter and a stand-alone capital plan that covers the general fund and each utility. The mayor said Home Rule allowed the budget to be introduced earlier in the year, added a new controller role, and formalized financial policies such as a fund-balance policy, investment policy and debt policy.

Councilors commended the…