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Clinton County projects roughly $48 million budget and no tax increase for 2026
Summary
Susquehanna Accounting Service presented a preliminary $48 million 2026 budget to the Clinton County Board of Commissioners, with no proposed tax increase; the plan emphasizes service costs, modest wage and benefits growth, and higher utility expenses. The budget is on display through Dec. 18, with approval expected Dec. 18.
Ed Zack of Susquehanna Accounting Service told the Clinton County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 13 that the county’s preliminary 2026 budget will total about $48 million and that “there will be no tax increase in Clinton County for next year.”
The presentation laid out major spending and revenue features: the general fund accounts for roughly 28% of the total, children and youth services represent about 14.7% of the budget, and the county’s correctional facility is one of the largest line items. Zack said wages and benefits make up about 44% of county costs; full-time wages rose roughly 2.93% year-over-year while total wage costs including overtime and on-call pay increased about 3.88%. He also noted benefits rose about 5.31% and that utility costs (principally electricity) drove a roughly 21% increase in the county’s utility budget.
Zack summarized revenue sources, saying taxes represent about 30% of revenue and grants about 21%. He emphasized that assessed values have increased only modestly — “the tax assessed value for next year only increased a half percentage” — and said the county’s capital projects in 2024–25 reduced the need for additional spending in the preliminary plan.
The county’s Chief Clerk announced the budget will be on display until Dec. 18; no changes may be made during the display period and the commissioners expect to consider final approval at the Dec. 18 meeting.
Why it matters: the plan affects services that county residents rely on — corrections, children and youth, and payroll-driven service delivery — while maintaining the current tax rate. The display period gives residents and stakeholders an opportunity to review the proposed numbers before final action.
Next steps: the board will continue to accept the budget for public inspection through Dec. 18 and aims to vote on final adoption at the Dec. 18 meeting.
