The Bucks County Commissioners are looking to hold the line on taxes in 2025, according to their preliminary budget that was released Wednesday afternoon.
The spending plan of $498.7 million marks a 2.4 percent increase over 2024.
The county’s operating revenues are also projected to increase by 2.4 percent. The preliminary budget shows tax revenues jumping by nearly $16 million and debt payments dropping by $12 million.
County taxes increased by an average $60 per household this year, but prior to that, the commissioners – two Democrats and one Republican – had avoided tax increases since the current administration took office in 2020.
The commissioners, courts, and elected row officers are all seeing their office’s spending increase under the budget, with the coroner’s office seeing the largest, a 27.3 percent spike in spending.
The county’s allocation to cash-strapped SEPTA, which runs Regional Rail, buses, and paratransit in the county, will increase from $5.3 million to $5.6 million.
The bulk of the budget – approximately 75 percent – will support public safety, health, housing, and human services. Those categories are typically the largest areas of spending.
“Increases in workforce salaries and benefits pose the greatest challenge in presenting a balanced budget,” said Bucks County Chief Financial Officer David Boscola. “For the next few weeks, finance will continue working with the commissioners to ensure that all county operations are appropriately budgeted for the coming year.”
As part of the budget process, the commissioners will further review spending and conduct a public hearing before the final vote scheduled for Dec. 18.
While the county’s operating budget is nearly $500 million, it also oversees and administers close to $230 million in special revenues that come from state and federal programs, including opioid remediation, rental assistance, American Rescue Plan Act, and behavioral health programs.
The county budget supports close to 2,400 employees and a number of departments, the courts, and elected row offices. Among the agencies covered are the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Behavioral Health/Developmental Programs, Board of Elections, Children and Youth Social Services Agency, Community Services, Corrections, Emergency Services, General Services, Health Department, Neshaminy Manor, Parks and Recreation, and Veterans Affairs. It also covers the courts and the county’s nine elected row offices, such as the Clerk of Courts, Controller, Coroner, District Attorney, Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills, Sheriff, and Treasurer.
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