David Bulzoni

During Commissioner Thom Welby's first public meeting, the Lackawanna County commissioners voted Wednesday to table a final vote on the 2026 budget until the county gets a clearer idea of electricity costs next year. The final vote is scheduled for Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.

The Lackawanna County commissioners formally introduced Wednesday the almost $180.7 million budget they unveiled last month. The budget keeps revenues the same, but new assessed values will determine if new tax rates raise or lower taxes on a property.

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to obtain a line of credit of up to $5 million to cover social services program bills as the state budget stalemate continues.

One year after a 33% property tax hike that they vehmently disagreed about, Lackawanna County commissioners Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak joined in introducing a 2026 budget that doesn't require higher taxes.

County chief financial officer David Bulzoni said the borrowing will raise annual debate payments by about $1.1 million, but won't require another tax hike next year. The county raised property taxes 33% this year.

County taxpayers face a property tax increase of at least 1.75 mills next year just to pay for new borrowing.

County officials don't know how much taxes will rise, but the county plans measures to trim an estimated $11.3 million year-end deficit and will borrow to cover at least part of that.