Berks County adopts 2026 budget, holds tax rate at 9.013 mills

The Berks County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 18 to adopt the county'wide 2026 budget and to set the real estate tax rate at 9.013 mills, the board announced at its final meeting of the year.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Laura Jones presented the final budget, saying the county made limited line-item adjustments and expects a net $1.1 million increase in revenues, including grant funds for the district attorney's office and additional Title 35 fees for the 9-1-1 communications center. "After all of our adjustments, we were still able to balance our budget with 0 effect to our county tax rate," Jones told the commissioners as she asked the board to adopt the budget.

The county plans $291.6 million in general fund revenues against $296.4 million in general fund expenditures, and $677.2 million of revenue for all funds with $690.0 million in all-funds expenditures. Jones said the all-funds deficit of about $13.5 million is largely driven by capital spending and will be covered with fund balance and 2026 bond proceeds. She told the board the county expects no change in headcount and a total FTE count of 2,138 for 2026.

During discussion commissioners emphasized the budget's structure and the distinction between recurring operational costs and one-time capital spending. The chair noted the county is not using one-time revenue to pay ongoing expenses, and commissioners pointed to the county's strong bond rating and ongoing efforts to control operating costs.

Commissioner Dante Santoni moved to adopt the 2026 general fund budget and Commissioner Rivera seconded the motion. The chair called the vote; commissioners signified "Aye," and the motion carried.

The presentation included several specific funding changes: additional grant and deferred funds from 2025 moved into 2026; an increased capital plan (total capital budget of $33.2 million, with carry-forwards and new projects included); and opioid-settlement funds to support medication-assisted treatment in the county prison. Jones also noted an actuarial-related contract recommendation elsewhere on the agenda. The board asked staff to provide final pension valuation figures after markets close on Dec. 31; the budget used a budgeted year-end pension asset assumption of $639.5 million, while staff said market movements in mid-December suggested a higher level but the official number is set after market close.

What happens next: with adoption, the county will publish the budget book online and staff will move to implement the approved spending plan and follow up on identified capital projects and grant activities. Commissioners also filed required conflict disclosures on specific items before voting; those disclosures were placed on the record during the meeting.