County Budget: Fiscal Year 2026

2026 Montgomery County Budget Process

Each year, Montgomery County adopts an annual budget that guides how we invest in core services, infrastructure, and programs that make our community a great place to live and work. The 2026 Proposed Budget reflects the County’s ongoing commitment to responsible fiscal management, strategic investment, and transparency.

Public Participation and Transparency

The Montgomery County Commissioners will convene two public budget hearings to hear feedback from residents on the proposed 2026 County Budget:

• Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 10:00 AM
• Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 5:30 PM

Both hearings are open to all residents.

Copies of the full Proposed 2026 Budget are available online for public review at 👉 montgomerycountypa.gov/finance

Residents may submit comments in any of the following ways: 

1. Make a public comment during one of the budget hearings. 
2. Send an email to commissioners@montgomerycountypa.gov.
3. Click "Review the document" on this page and enter comment(s) on any page. 

Following public feedback, the Board of Commissioners will vote on the final adoption of the 2026 Budget on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Building a Balanced Budget

The proposed 2026 General Fund Budget projects $607.2 million in revenue and $632.7 million in expenditures, resulting in a $25.5 million deficit. Through careful planning, the County has already reduced an initial projected deficit of $55.9 million in April 2025 by more than half — identifying over $14 million in operating savings and improving overall revenue performance.

To close the remaining gap, the proposed budget includes:

• A 4% real estate tax rate adjustment (from 5.252 to 5.462 mills)
• Use of $13.5 million in fund balance reserves
• $12 million in new revenue from investments and program efficiencies

This balanced approach maintains County services, protects reserves, and minimizes the impact on residents — an average $36 per year increase for the typical homeowner.

Strategic Investments: Communities, Opportunities, Safety, and Government

The 2026 budget invests in Montgomery County’s four core priorities:

Communities for All

Expanding access to affordable housing, preserving open space, improving infrastructure, and connecting neighborhoods through sustainable, accessible development.

Opportunities for All

Strengthening economic growth, supporting working families, expanding community college access, and modernizing main streets and business corridors across the County.

Public Safety for All

Investing in first responders, emergency communications, the justice system, and criminal justice reform initiatives that ensure safety and equity for every resident.

Government for All

Streamlining County operations, improving transparency and accountability, modernizing elections infrastructure, and supporting the County workforce through fair wages and benefits.

Stay Involved

Residents are encouraged to:

• Attend a hearing on December 4, 2025
• Review the Proposed Budget once posted
• Share feedback by emailing: commissioners@montgomerycountypa.gov
• Visit montgomerycountypa.gov/finance for updates and detailed documents