Chester County finance staff report first-quarter 2025 budget on track; tax collections up vs. 2024

County finance staff presented the 2025 first-quarter operating budget status report during the meeting, saying overall revenues and expenditures were in line with expectations but noting shifts in funding sources compared with 2024.

Julie, the staff presenter, reported general fund revenues for the first quarter totaled $141,000,000, representing 68% of the annual budget and approximately $15.3 million more than the first quarter of 2024. The presenter said tax collections through March 2025 were higher compared with the prior year and that interim and delinquent collections were slightly elevated. Interest, rent and other investment revenue was lower by $604,000 because of a lower interest-rate environment.

Federal and state grants in the first quarter were about $1.3 million lower than the prior year, driven by 2023 revenue carried forward into the first quarter of 2024 that did not reoccur in 2025, the presenter said. Departmental earnings were reported as $361,000 greater than the first quarter of 2024. Total first-quarter expenditures were about $49,000,000 (23% of budget), roughly $3,000,000 higher than the same time in 2024. Personnel costs were consistent with prior-year percentages.

At the end of the first quarter the county had 1,449 approved general fund positions, of which 165 were vacant; staff noted that number of vacancies was 12 fewer than at the same point in the prior year. Finance staff told commissioners the report will be posted to the county website.

Commissioners asked no changes to policy or budget appropriations at the meeting; staff said they will continue monitoring federal funding developments and report back if changes are required.