SCRANTON, PA — Residents of Lackawanna County will not see an increase in their property taxes next year. In a unanimous 3-0 vote on Wednesday, the County Commissioners officially adopted a $181 million budget for 2026.
The bipartisan approval came from Democratic Commissioners Bill Gaughan and Thom Welby, alongside Republican Commissioner Chris Chermak. The final spending plan includes a general fund surplus of $119,354, a figure achieved after several recent adjustments and financial fine-tuning.
The smooth passage of the budget stands in contrast to the recent political climate in the county. The budget process overlapped with the lengthy and often contentious search to fill the seat vacated by former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin.
Despite that internal friction, the board reached a consensus to prioritize fiscal stability for homeowners. "This budget reflects our commitment to essential services without placing an additional burden on the taxpayers," the commissioners noted during the session.
