Chester County approves $778.6 million 2026 budget, funds 10-unit shelter and several major contracts
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Summary
The Chester County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 17 approved a $778,632,816 2026 budget that keeps property taxes flat, awarded a $3.27 million contract to the Friends Association to buy property and create 10 apartments for homeless families, and approved multiple contracts and grants for public safety, corrections, food services and workforce programs.
The Chester County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 17 to approve a $778,632,816 budget for 2026 that does not raise property taxes, and approved a series of contracts and grants including a $3,270,000 property acquisition to add 10 housing units for homeless families, county officials said.
Julie (county staff) recommended adoption of the proposed 2026 budget. Commissioner Rupp welcomed the package and said, "Most of you know that it does not raise property taxes at all for next year." Commissioners voted by voice and the chair declared the motion passed.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said the budget maintains county services without increasing the property tax rate but faces rising costs in corrections, health insurance and public safety. The board noted federal funding uncertainty and the exhaustion of many American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations, and county staff flagged an estimated 120 families in a Continuum of Care program who may be at elevated risk of losing housing next year, a shortfall they said could amount to about $2 million to stabilize those households.
Housing for families: Loris Colligan, director of the county Department of Community Development, described a $3,270,000 contract with the Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children to acquire property at 825 Paoli Pike (noted in the record as in Westtown) and develop 10 apartment units for homeless families. "This contract provides funding for property acquisition ... This will expand the services to our homeless families in Chester County by 10 additional apartment units," Colligan said, adding that the award is funded approximately 96% with federal sources and 4% with state funds (listed programs in the record included the Community Development Block Grant, CARES Act funds, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, ARPA and a Pennsylvania Housing fund). County staff said settlement is anticipated in January with occupancy targeted for March.
Public safety and services: The board approved an $8,925,264.45 contract with Motorola Solutions to replace 1,895 end-of-life mobile and portable radios used by county law enforcement; Bill Messerschmitt, director of Emergency Services, said the new radios offer encryption and improved interoperability. The board also approved a $191,556 contract with N Able Technologies for remote management and cybersecurity of mobile data computers in first-responder vehicles.
Other notable contracts and amendments approved included a $6,358,210, three-year food services agreement with Glendale Dining Services Inc. for the Copson Home; a $1,000,000 amendment with Pyramid Healthcare to continue detox and rehabilitation services while the county awaits a new state contract; and a zero-cost amendment to use GEO Group services to cover certain inmate evaluations required before sentencing, the county said.
Grants and human services: The board authorized multiple grant applications and awards, including three items presented by the Criminal Justice Advisory Board and adult probation for reentry services and intermediate punishment treatment programs, and the county's annual HealthChoices agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services for behavioral health services in 2026 (the amount stated in the record was $137,000,000).
Human Relations Commission appointments: The board voted to appoint members to a newly created Human Relations Commission. Commissioner Eric Rowe said he would abstain from the vote, noting he believed federal and state protections already address many categories listed in the commission's scope; he later acknowledged the local ordinance adds a source-of-income protection. The motion to appoint members passed with one recorded abstention.
Public comment and next steps: Joyce Chester, CEO of Friends Association for the Care and Protection of Children, thanked the commissioners for the vote and said the organization will show stewardship of the funds and hold a ribbon-cutting in January. The board completed remaining motions and adjourned.
Votes at a glance: the record shows voice votes on agenda adoption, the consent agenda, the 2026 budget, contract approvals, grant approvals and the Friends Association contract, all declared passed by the chair; the Human Relations Commission appointments passed with one abstention recorded. The minutes and formal vote tallies, where required, will be posted on the county website.
