Lancaster County held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, which the county advertised with a 57-cent real-estate tax rate, a two-cent increase from the current 55-cent rate.

County finance staff told the board the advertised budget projects a 6.7% increase in revenues for FY 2026 and a 2.8% increase in overall expenditures. To balance the proposed budget staff said the county would use $1,120,527 from fund reserves, leaving a projected ending fund balance of $3,694,841, equal to about 7.88% of annual expenditures. The notice to the public and the county code require a public hearing before adoption; the board may not adopt the budget tonight and must wait at least seven days after the advertised hearing.

County staff also emphasized that the proposed budget includes level local funding for the public schools (i.e., the county's local school contribution is unchanged from FY25). The finance presentation included an itemized advertisement showing no proposed changes to other tax rates and a breakdown of the fund balance and reserve draw.

Public commenters criticized the tax increase and raised concerns about county spending, change orders and project management on capital projects. One speaker urged more scrutiny of change orders in county construction contracts and argued that county spending is out of control; county finance and administration staff responded that procurement rules and contract oversight apply and that staff and the board question large change orders when they appear.

Why this matters: The advertised real-estate tax rate and the budget draw of $1.12 million from reserves are key financial choices that will affect homeowners' bills and county reserves. The board must hold a second meeting at least seven days after the hearing and may adopt the budget with or without modification.

What comes next: The board scheduled adoption of the budget for its May 29 meeting; the board may modify the advertised proposal before adoption.