Chester County approves $778.6 million 2026 budget, funds 10-unit shelter and several major contracts

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…