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Lackawanna County unveils $181 million tentative 2026 budget; commissioners say no millage increase
Summary
At a public hearing Oct. 15 in Dunmore, commissioners presented a $181 million preliminary operating budget for 2026 with no proposed real estate tax millage adjustment and said reforms reduced the county—s structural deficit. Residents raised questions about collection rates, use of fund balance and several line items.
Lackawanna County commissioners presented a $181,000,000 tentative operating budget for 2026 at a public hearing in Dunmore on Oct. 15, 2025, and said the preliminary plan does not include a real estate tax millage increase.
"We can present a balanced preliminary budget that does not raise taxes," Commissioner Bill Gahan said, attributing the progress to independent financial review and internal cost controls.
The county—s preliminary budget for 2026 reflects several changes commissioners described as the product of structural reforms. Gahan said the county reduced a previously reported structural deficit that had been estimated at $37 million in 2024 to a projected $3.9 million deficit for 2026 before certain planned revenues and refunds. Commissioners listed specific items they expect to use to…
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