Bucks County Passes 2026 Budget, Boosts Tax Rate To Plug Deficit

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Commissioners on Wednesday enacted a $517 million plan to fund the government through the end of next year.

The budget charts a course that moves county government forward by funding crucial services, making critical capital improvements, and prioritizing education and public safety, said the commissioners in approving the spending plan.

To balance a $16.4 million deficit, the budget increases real estate taxes by 2.2 mills, or about $70 more annually in county taxes in 2026.

“If a budget is a statement of your values, then this year we are making clear that we stand by the people of Bucks County,” said Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie. “With this budget, we are pressing forward in our mission to make this government responsive to its people. That’s why we’re expanding the Human Services Hub, continuing our work to build a state-of-the-art Lower Bucks Government Services Center, finally meeting the commitment made to Bucks County Community College 50 years ago, and shoring up public safety infrastructure.”

The budget’s passage comes at the end of a turbulent year marked by rising costs and economic uncertainty, as well as intentional failures by the state and federal governments to fulfill financial obligations on time, the county said.

“While the federal government is playing games with your tax dollars, this administration remains committed to investing in the things county residents care about the most,” said Commissioner Vice Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW. “Unfortunately, just like everyone else, county governments are burdened by the weight of reckless trade policies and arbitrary tariffs, levied seemingly at random, that serve only to inflict pointless pain on Americans while aggravating our allies around the world.”

With the state of the economy in mind, the administration has worked to balance the budget and manage inflation costs, while keeping the property tax increase at roughly $6 per month for the average household.

Development of the 2026 budget occurred during both the state government’s marathon budget impasse and the longest federal government shutdown in American history.

These dual crises forced the county to draw $27 million from its fund balance to maintain mental health and other services administered under the Human Services umbrella, to make an advance $4.6 million contribution to Bucks County Community College to ensure it opened through the fall semester, and to lay out additional funding for food banks amid disruption to federal food assistance.

While the county anticipates receiving reimbursements for much of what it spent to cover lapses in state funding, new stresses are likely, as the state budget passed in November includes cuts to mental health funding for counties.

Also in the 2026 budget are new investments in public safety. Chief among them is a $3 million required upgrade to the public safety radio system used 24/7 by first responders.

As in previous years, the county’s operating budget includes funding for departments and agencies serving county residents including the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs, Board of Elections, Children & Youth Social Services Agency, Community Services, Corrections, Emergency Services, General Services, Health Department, Neshaminy Manor, Parks and Recreation and Veterans Affairs, among others.

The county’s budget also provides for the courts and the County’s nine elected row offices, including the Clerk of Courts, Controller, Coroner, District Attorney, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Sheriff, and Treasurer.

Click here to review the county’s full 2026 operating budget.