SCRANTON, Pa. – Lackawanna County officials introduced a $181 million proposed budget for 2026 on Wednesday, which includes no real estate tax increase for the coming year.
The flat tax rate follows a highly contested 33% tax hike approved last year.
Initially, the 2026 budget projected a $3.9 million shortfall. However, County Chief Financial Officer Dave Bulzoni announced that the deficit was successfully eliminated through a series of adjustments. These measures included factoring in revenues from tax lien sales, a refund from the county's group health plan due to lower-than-projected usage, and "departmental adjustments." These efforts ultimately resulted in a small surplus of just over $7,000 for the 2026 fiscal year.
The proposed budget will now undergo review and discussion before County Council, which must approve the final spending plan by the adoption deadline in mid-December.