Clinton County Commissioners Unveil $48 Million Proposed 2026 Budget; No Property Tax Increase Announced
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN— At their meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Clinton County Commissioners were presented with the preliminary 2026 budget by Ed Zack, a financial consultant from Susquehanna Accounting Services. The proposed budget, which totals approximately $48 million, was introduced with a key assurance from Zack, who began his presentation by stating: “There will be no tax increase in Clinton County next year.”
The 2026 proposed budget aims to strike a balance between maintaining essential services, avoiding tax hikes, and investing strategically in community priorities.
The 2026 Clinton County Proposed Detailed Budget, now available on the county’s website, amounts to $48,461,788. In the budget narrative, the county commissioners explain, “The 2026 County Budget, totaling approximately $48 million, reflects increases in several key areas, including insurance, retirement contributions, contractual obligations, and the County’s share of human services funding. Balancing these rising costs while maintaining an appropriate fund balance and continuing to invest in critical infrastructure has presented a significant challenge in the preparation of the 2026 Budget.”
Key features of the proposal include no increase in real estate taxes and maintaining a 10 percent reserve in the General Fund. The budget also ensures that the county will make the full Actuarially Determined Contribution (ADC) to the county’s retirement plan. Additionally, the budget proposal supports the continuation of capital improvement projects, with a particular focus on housing initiatives. Altogether, these measures reflect the county’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and community development, all without imposing additional tax burden on local property owners.
During the meeting, Zack provided a detailed breakdown of the 2026 budget, highlighting a budget decrease of over $1 million. “The budget is about $1.7 million less than the year before,” Zack explained. “We did mostly all our capital projects in 2024 and 25, but on the other hand, there was an increase in Children and Youth—because of the group home—of about $1.3 million, so that’s the combination that kind of makes up the $48 million.”
Key allocations in the 2026 Proposed Budget include:
– General Fund: $28,418,811, which represents about 58.6% of the county’s total proposed budget and supports core government operations, public safety, the courts, and administrative services.
– Children and Youth: $7,163,376, representing roughly 14.8% of the budget
– 911 Services: $3,544,215, or approximately 7.3% of the proposed budget, is designated for 911 services, with $1,824,053 allocated to the 911 Communications Fund and $1,720,162 set aside for the 911 Act 12 Fund.
– Clinton County Correctional Facility: $6,585,770, accounting for 13.6% of the overall budget.
– County Employee Wages and Benefits: $14,392,958 is earmarked for wages and salaries and $6,688,381 for benefits, totaling $21,081,339—about 43.5% of the proposed budget. This includes a 3.88% increase in salaries from the year before and a rise in benefits from $6,351,348 in 2025.
– Fund Balance and Reserves: The budget maintains a 10% General Fund reserve, providing a safeguard for fiscal stability and minimizing the need for future tax increases.
Additional expenditures in the proposed budget support the sheriff’s department, human services, and continued infrastructure improvements, with the General Fund allocating over $28 million to support core operations and administrative functions. This comprehensive spending plan aims to strike a balance between providing essential public services, maintaining fiscal stability, and investing in the community’s well-being.
For homeowners in Clinton County, the proposed budget brings good news, as it features no increase in real estate taxes for the coming year. According to the Chief Assessor, the total taxable property value for 2025 was projected at $2,167,721,027, which is anticipated to generate around $13.5 million in real estate tax revenue in 2026. By maintaining a steady property tax rate, the county hopes to lessen the financial burden on residents and businesses while continuing to deliver vital services and plan responsibly for the future.
The 2026 proposed budget estimates that Clinton County will generate a total anticipated revenue amounting to $48,461,788, primarily from the following sources:
– Property taxes: $14,307,703
– Intergovernmental funding: $10,310,333
– Charges for services: $7,358,170
– Licenses and permits: $35,425
– Hotel taxes: $400,000
– Interest and rent income: $641,313
– Miscellaneous sources: $2,247,731
– “Other Financing Sources”: $8,055,439
On the expenditure side, the 2026 budget outlines a total of $48,461,788 in planned spending for the upcoming year. The largest share, $15,992,934, is allocated to operating costs, with $14,392,958 invested in wages and salaries, and employee benefits totaling $6,688,381. The county also plans to allocate $805,849 for capital outlay, $8,055,439 for “Other Financing Uses,” and $2.53 million for debt service. This breakdown highlights Clinton County’s focus on maintaining essential services, investing in its workforce and infrastructure, and ensuring responsible fiscal management.
Following Zack’s presentation of the 2026 Proposed Budget, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Clerk Desiree Myers announced that the preliminary budget will be available for public review until December 18. Providing no changes are made, the county commissioners are expected to approve the final budget during their next meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. To view Clinton County’s 2026 Proposed Budget in detail, visit www.clintoncountypa.gov/government/commissioners/preliminary-final-budget.
Commissioners’ meetings are held in the second-floor conference room of the Piper Building, located at 2 Piper Way in Lock Haven. For those unable to attend in person, meetings are livestreamed on the “Clinton County Government” Facebook page, where meeting agendas are posted within 24 hours of the meeting.
Residents who wish to comment on any agenda item may do so during the public comment period at the start of each meeting by calling 570-893-4000. Comments and questions can also be emailed to commissioners@clintoncountypa.gov by 9:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Anyone wishing to schedule a presentation for a work session meeting, which are held on Mondays, should contact Desiree Myers at dmyers@clintoncountypa.gov.
