Erie County Executive Christina Vogel works in her office at the Erie County Courthouse on Jan. 20, 2026.
A.J. RAO/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Erie County Executive Christina Vogel is proposing no increase in county taxes in 2027.
Vogel’s proposed $565,356,846 general fund budget – up about 2.9% from the current year – would be balanced instead with $4,550,386 from the county’s unrestricted reserve fund.
If the budget is approved by Erie County Council, the property tax rate would remain at 6.94 mills, or $694 for a property with an assessed value of $100,000.
In outlining the proposed budget on Sept. 30, Vogel said that streamlined operations, spending less than amounts budgeted through the year in spite of inflation, and the elimination of some long-vacant positions has helped the county reduce overhead and increase efficiency without employee layoffs.
The proposed budget focuses spending on essential services and expands the county’s commitment to emergency medical services, Vogel said.
“This budget keeps county government centered on what it does best, public safety, public health and efficient delivery of services while avoiding new programs outside our core responsibilities,” Vogel said.
The reserve fund
There was more than $51.3 million in the county’s unrestricted reserve fund at the end of 2025, according to audited financial statements. And that amount has since grown, Vogel said.
Using reserve funds rather than a tax increase to balance the budget will h
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Proposed Erie County budget has no tax increase for 2027
Reporting by Valerie Myers, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
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This story was originally published September 30, 2026 at 11:31 AM.