WEST CHESTER — The Chester County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2015 budget today, resulting in no tax increase for county residents.
The 2015 budget calls for $432,499,283 in operating expenses and $89,531,813 for its capital budget. Chester County’s tax rate remains one of the lowest in southeast Pennsylvania. For the past six years the County has streamlined the operating costs of county departments and reduced the number of full time employees. It has also undertaken regular reviews of health benefit costs which, combined with the award-winning county employee wellness program, has resulted in a medical cost increase of less than one percent, well below the national average increase in health costs.
The 2015 balanced budget includes a marginal increase in federal and state funding. Chester County receives approximately 41 percent of its operating revenues from federal and state grants, which are budgeted to increase by $.06 million, representing less than one percent increase over 2014. The county’s property tax base slightly increased. Chester County continues to actively manage its debt requirements, with its Aaa/AAA ratings being reaffirmed in October by Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings.
The 2015 budget aligns with the priorities and goals of Chester County’s Strategic Plan which were re-aligned in 2014. Six years of development and implementation of the Plan have led Chester County to the achievement of a very high percentage of its goals, based on the six priority areas of Health, Human Services & Environment; Public Safety; Economy; Transportation; Growth; and Smart Financial Management.
The approved Chester County 2015 budget will be posted at www.chesco.org by Friday, December 12, 2014.
