Chester County presents FY2026–27 budget plan with COLA increases, new positions and solid‑waste fee changes

Chester County officials presented their recommended fiscal year 2026–27 budget at a workshop on April 9, 2026, in Chester. Treasurer Tommy Darby and County Administrator Brian Hester summarized changes to the General Fund, other fund recommendations and capital priorities during the roughly 75‑minute meeting.

Darby said the General Fund budget incorporates a January 2026 cost‑of‑living adjustment “catch up” of $925,000 that follows earlier adjustments, and proposes a 3% COLA effective January 2027 estimated to cost $319,000. He also identified projected health insurance cost increases of $320,000 and $25,000 for board and commissions revision work. The presentation included personnel changes: the county will add four sheriff deputies funded through a COPS grant (estimated at $205,000), fund position reclassifications and adjustments ($137,000) and budget for several mid‑year hires totaling $217,000 (an appraiser; two 911 dispatchers; a mechanic; a paralegal; an animal control officer; and a parks and recreation technician).

Officials also described expense reductions intended to offset pressures. Darby said county departments reduced line‑item spending by $174,000 and recommended eliminating a part‑time litter crew position and a part‑time magistrate position. The county will absorb some costs previously charged to fire districts—Darby pointed to a $110,000 reduction resulting from EMS and a $46,000 health insurance cost shift to the county for Richburg Fire District’s budget recommendation.

On revenues, Darby cited an increase in the value of a mill that brings an estimated $150,367 and growth in FILOT receipts; he said the current recommendation does not include a millage increase.

Darby outlined changes to other funds, including Solid Waste and Gateway. The Solid Waste Disposal Fund recommendation totals $2,271,919 and includes proposed fee changes: a 5% increase for residential municipal solid waste to $60.17 per ton and a 10% commercial increase to $63.04 per ton; a $2/ton fuel surcharge for the C&D landfill; a tire fee increase to $156.23 per ton (with no charge for tires under 100 pounds); and a $50 unsecured load fee. The presentation included a proposed operating transfer of $216,000 from the landfill to Solid Waste Collection to cover collection costs and capital needs such as a wheel loader, a magnet and a concrete loading dock for tires.

The Solid Waste Collection Fund recommendation is $1,254,360, which Darby said includes a $1/hour wage increase for recycling attendants and funding for a new part‑time attendant at the Beltline facility. The Gateway Fund recommendation is $525,241, with about $32,000 in operating increases for advertising, maintenance and rentals and capital items including a vending machine, floor scrubber, new carpet and landscaping; revenue for Gateway was projected at $530,000.

Darby reviewed fire district requests and staff recommendations: Chester Fire District requested $2,715,834 with a revenue projection of about $2.8 million; Lando requested $270,000 (proj. $270,000); Lewis requested $142,000 (proj. $142,000); Fort Lawn requested $396,916 with projected revenue of $273,000 and staff said they will work with Fort Lawn to align budget and revenue; and Richburg’s recommended allocation was $917,931 with a revenue projection of $399,000. County staff identified a $518,000 allocation in the Fire Coordinator budget tied to the Richburg recommendation and the earlier noted EMS and health insurance cost adjustments.

Capital recommendations across departments totaled $2,480,720, including an anticipated $500,000 draw from capital reserves; departmental capital requests submitted to staff summed to approximately $6.2 million.

No final budget vote was taken at the workshop. Councilman Corey Guy moved to adjourn, Councilman Roy Brunson seconded, and the council voted 7–0 to adjourn; Chairman Pete Wilson closed the meeting at 5:15 p.m.