The Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously voted today to adopt the 2026 General Fund Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (2026-2030).
The budget reflects a 5.462 Real Estate Tax (RET) millage rate, adding approximately $12 million in revenue to the General Fund, or approximately $36 per County household per year. Real estate taxes are projected to fund 53.8% of County revenue budget, with more than a third estimated to come from federal and state grants, and the remainder coming from departmental earnings.
The County will also plan a $13.5 million drawdown of its assigned fund balance for new debt service expenses. The County is only a fraction of the average homeowner’s property tax bill each year. For every dollar that the average resident pays in property taxes, only $0.12 goes to the County, whereas $0.75 goes to the local school district.
The 2026 General Fund Budget and Capital Improvement Plan is available at montgomerycountypa.gov/finance. The budget is also available in a storybook version from OpenGov, which highlights key investments according to the four pillars of the County’s strategic plan. Highlights include:
Communities for All
- $5.3 million in housing priorities and supportive housing, including three new transitional housing facilities in Lansdale, Norristown, and Pottstown, as well as critical shelter services during extreme winter weather.
- $35 million for the maintenance and upgrade of 131 bridges and 75 miles of roads, supporting the safe travel of upwards of 250 million vehicles each year.
- $16.6 million to improve and maintain 6,000 acres of the County’s public parks, trails, and historic sites that over 3 million people visit each year.
- $600,000 for the expansion of the County’s widely used residential recycling collection program to meet resident demand.
Public Health & Safety
- $7.2 million to support the purchase of new emergency communication radios for police, fire, and EMS departments, resulting in faster response times and better coordination among law enforcement agencies.
- $500,000 for a pilot program to upgrade security protocols for Magisterial District Judge (MDJ) courts around the County.
Opportunities for All
- $2 million to support the revitalization of Montgomery County’s main streets through low-interest loans, targeted market analysis, and small business grants paired with technical assistance.
- $250,000 for the County’s first-time homebuyers program, which offers support to low- to moderate-income households by assisting with down payment and closing costs.
Government for All
- $5 million to implement modern systems across County departments to improve operational efficiency, optimize workflows, and deliver faster, more reliable services to residents.
- $1.5+ million to support our County workforce, including minimum wage compensation, paid parental leave for new parents, and fertility treatment benefits up to $50,000.
The 2026 Adopted Budget also reflects a requested increase to the dedicated Real Estate Tax (RET) for the Montgomery County Community College. The RET has remained unchanged for eight years, despite rising tuition costs. The adjustment equates to a $17 annual increase for the average homeowner and generates an additional $6.2 million in funding for the College. As a result of this investment, the Montgomery County Community College will be able to keep tuition stable for the next three years, maintain high-quality programs, and continue developing the skilled workforce that drives our region’s economy.
Residents earning a fixed or low income may be eligible to enroll in a tax abatement program to minimize the impact of any tax increases on their household finances. Additionally, the Board of Commissioners passed the volunteer emergency services tax rebate program in 2024, allowing volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to apply for up to 100% property tax relief, if either in active volunteer service or injured in the line of duty.
“This is the first bipartisan budget passed in Montgomery County in nearly a decade, and it reflects what’s possible when we put people first,”said Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “While federal and state governments struggle with gridlock, local governments are closer to the ground. We know how and why we need to get things done at the local level, whether we’re investing in an emergency behavioral health crisis center or funding public safety. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues to have a budget that delivers the high-quality service our residents need in a fiscally responsible way.”
“Passing a budget is never easy, and this budget is a result of many people’s hard work, opinions, and creative problem solving. I want to thank everyone who helped shape this budget, from our County staff who found smart ways to save taxpayer dollars to the residents who shared their opinions,” said Jamila H. Winder, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “This budget defines our priorities for the next year: finding solutions to the housing crisis, supporting our small businesses and main streets, aiding the most vulnerable, and making county government more efficient and effective. Our commitment to fiscal responsibility doesn’t end with this vote; we will continue to look for ways to improve efficiency and maximize impact.”
“Over the past several months, we’ve made real progress by focusing on what matters most—housing, infrastructure, and public safety—and we’re already seeing positive results, including the success of the Pottstown housing program,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “But this work doesn’t end here, and we’ll need to be even more aggressive moving forward to keep costs in check. At a time when families are facing rising costs everywhere, we have a responsibility to be strong stewards of taxpayer dollars, and I am committed to doing that for our residents.”