Lancaster County Council approves FY2026–27 budget first reading after amendments, including $6 million for a fire station

Lancaster County Council approved first reading of the proposed FY2026–27 budget on May 26, 2026, after an extended presentation and multiple amendments. Interim administrator Willis described the package as "very public safety oriented," noting that of about 48.5 proposed new positions roughly 36 are for public-safety roles and that the general-fund personnel cost for those positions is about $4,975,217.

Councilors debated recurring versus one-time spending, the possible millage impact and several reductions staff circulated as Exhibit F. Willis warned about demographic pressure and inflation, saying, "Population increase we have to serve is not slowing down as we remain in the top 50 fastest growing counties in The United States." Budget staff and the CFO presented options on minimum-wage adjustments and compression. CFO Sabrina Harris told the council the recommended minimum-wage option ($17/hour) would affect about 240 staff and increase recurring personnel costs by roughly $980,000 before compression adjustments (totaling just over $1.2 million when compression is included).

Debate focused on how to balance staff pay, public-safety needs, and the county's millage. One council member said they were "concerned that we are doing this budget on the backs of our constituents," pressing staff for scenarios that would avoid a millage increase. Staff provided a headline figure: the current proposal would net an approximate 2.3-mill increase under the recommended package, about $28 annually on a $100,000 home before any adjustments or cuts.

During the session councilors considered cutting various one-time fund-balance projects and debated a motion to remove $400,000 for the Arrowood Drive drainage project; after hearing from county engineering staff that the work affects eight property owners and would stop periodic overtopping of the road, the motion to remove the additional $400,000 failed (recorded as 2 in favor, 5 opposed). Council then approved an amendment to allocate $6,000,000 from fund balance toward a new fire station (first-reading amendment passed 6–1), with county staff and fire leaders describing estimates and funding options for station size and build-out.

The council voted to approve the budget as amended on first reading (vote reported 6–1). Staff will provide revised, line-item figures and salary-impact summaries before second reading; the public hearing and second reading are scheduled for June 8, with third reading and final adoption expected June 22. "We will have that prepared for us at 2nd reading," the chair said, asking staff to circulate the revised numbers the week prior.

Speakers quoted or cited in this report are members of the official meeting record and include Willis (interim administrator), Sabrina Harris (CFO), budget staff, and multiple council members. The vote tallies reported here are taken from the meeting record.