Lancaster County Council adopts FY2026 budget, designates tourism recipients for 30% accommodations tax

Lancaster County Council voted to adopt the county's fiscal year 2026 budget on third reading and separately designated how the county's 30% share of the state accommodations tax will be distributed.

Councilmember McGriff moved adoption of the budget ordinance on third reading and the motion passed unanimously. The ordinance as presented includes a 5% across‑the‑board salary increase for full‑ and part‑time employees, 42 new positions, funding for additional salary adjustments and employer health‑insurance contributions, and several fund‑balance appropriations. The countywide budget total presented in the meeting materials was $160,194,556.

The budget matter drew a public comment from Steve Willis, a lifelong Lancaster resident, who praised the proposed compensation increases and urged council to consider a modest millage increase in future years to address unmet needs.

Why this matters: The budget sets personnel levels, pay policy and capital/fund balance allocations that…