Luzerne County Proposes 2027 Budget With Tax Increase

The Luzerne County Council is reviewing a proposed 2027 budget that includes a 1.99% real estate tax increase to fund infrastructure, court requirements, and negotiated wage commitments. The administration's plan includes a division restructuring that would eliminate the Administrative Services Division Head position and a vacant grant writer role, resulting in a net saving of $200,000.

Budget discussions have centered on three primary divisions: operational services, requesting $35.9 million; the district attorney’s office, seeking $8.4 million; and the law division, proposing $4.3 million. The law division is requesting an additional $1.07 million to cover pending litigation settlements and the costs of at least two capital death penalty cases. County Chief Solicitor Harry W. Skene requested $720,000 for conflict counsel because the county lacks the Rule 801-certified attorneys required for capital defense.

Council members Joanna Bryn Smith and Chris Belles criticized the spending on death penalty cases, with Smith noting that such cases are very rare. In separate county developments, Election Board Vice Chairman Rick Morelli announced he will resign after the November 3 general election certification to run for a school board seat. Additionally, the county employee pension fund reported a 0.4% loss for the third quarter, though it remains up 4.84% for the year. The council is scheduled to adopt the final budget on December 8.