Berks County presents balanced 2026 budget with no tax increase; draft advanced for public review
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Summary
Interim CFO Laura Jones presented a proposed 2026 budget that holds the county tax rate at 9.013 mills, budgets $293.1 million for the general fund and projects a $2.9 million all-funds surplus; commissioners voted to submit the draft for the required 20-day public review and will vote on final adoption Dec. 18.
Berks County officials on Nov. 20 unveiled a proposed 2026 budget they said balances without a property tax increase and maintains strong reserves.
Interim Chief Financial Officer Laura Jones told the Board of Commissioners the plan holds the tax rate at 9.013 mills and includes a general fund expenditure budget of $293.1 million and $672.5 million across all county funds. "For 2026, we are proposing a balanced operating budget with no tax increase," Jones said, adding the county projects an all-funds surplus of $2.9 million and an unassigned general fund balance of about $148 million.
The proposal funds 1,988 full-time positions and 150 full-time-equivalent part-time positions (2,138 total FTE), and includes $146.2 million for wages and $52.4 million for fringe benefits. The capital plan totals roughly $18.1 million, funded by $1.8 million in new bond financing, $8.1 million from the general fund and $8.1 million in other sources, including liquid fuels. Jones said the recommended bond issuance was lowered from $35 million to $25 million to leverage improved market rates.
Commissioners pressed staff on several assumptions and risks in the plan, including the impact of tax-assessment appeals on the tax base, reduced interest revenue due to lower reserves and rates, uncertain costs tied to a regional youth detention center (not yet in the 2026 budget), and reliance on the state IGT program for Berks Heim census assumptions. Jones said staff would update figures where appropriate before the board’s Dec. 18 adoption vote.
Commissioner Christian Leinbach highlighted the county’s AAA/Aaa Moody’s bond rating and the pension valuation, noting the pension fund was valued at $622 million in the budget message; Leinbach said the pension value was $634 million that morning. "We keep our eye on that," he said.
After questions and discussion, Commissioner Michael Rivera moved to accept the draft/proposed 2026 budget for the statutorily required public review period; Commissioner Dante Santoni seconded and the board approved the motion by voice. Final adoption is scheduled for Dec. 18, after a 20-day public review and posting of the written budget message.
Budget documents and the presentation will be posted to the county website and hard copies made available for public inspection during the review period.
