SCRANTON — The Lackawanna County commissioners introduced Wednesday a county budget for 2026 that would not increase taxes.
Coinciding with the first countywide property tax reassessment since 1968 taking effect next year, the county budget for 2026 would collect $130 million in tax revenue, the same amount collected this year, county Chief Financial Officer David Bulzoni said.
The recently completed reassessment increased the county’s assessed value from $1.6 billion to $24.8 billion, he said.
The tax revenue collected after a reassessment must be neutral, meaning the same as collected in the prior year. So, the millage rates of the various tax categories would decrease to keep the revenue the same.
“This change translates into what would be considered an inverse relationship with millage, so your assessed valuation goes up, (and) your millage goes down,” Bulzoni said.
Under the 2026 budget, the total millage of 89.98 in 2025 would get reduced to 5.79 in 2026.
That total millage is comprised of the following tax-rate millages:
• General fund: 69.97 in 2025, reduced to 4.48 in 2026.
• Debt service: 15.99 to 1.03.
• Arts and culture: 1.25 to .08.
• Library: 3.07 to .20.
Commissioner Chairwoman Brenda Sacco and Commissioners Chris Chermak and Bill Gaughan held a first reading of the budget Wednesday. A second reading will be held Dec. 3.
Gaughan recited a litany of financial problems that he and former Commissioner Matt McGloin faced upon taking office in 2024 and that prompted a 38% tax increase last year. That tax hike and various structural, budget and financial improvements during the past two years under his leadership set the stage for a no-tax-increase budget for 2026, Gaughan said.
“I have been tarred and feathered over the 33% tax increase. People are trying to hang it around my neck like a noose,” Gaughan said. “However, if we had not raised taxes last year, we wouldn’t be in this position that we’re in today. In fact, I don’t know what position we would be in … this year, we are reaping the benefits of good financial sense and doing things the right way.”
The reassessment means property owners may see their 2026 tax bills fluctuate, some will go up, some will go down, and some will stay generally the same, compared to 2025, despite the county not raising taxes.
“… a little shady”
In another matter, Clarks Summit resident Allison Williams attended the commissioners’ meeting to say that she applied for the job of county human resources director and was dismayed to learn from a Times-Tribune article that Sacco and Chermak filled that position Monday after interviewing only one of 30 candidates.
Gaughan on Monday issued a statement decrying the process by which Sacco and Chermak hired Pittston City Business Administrator Jenna Strzelecki to be county human resources director. Of over 30 applications submitted for the post that had been open for several months, Strzelecki, who also is a Scranton School Board member, was the only candidate interviewed, Gaughan had said. He said he was left out of the decision and called that hiring process “the definition of backroom politics.”
Saying she has extensive experience for the position, Williams said she did not get an interview. At least seven or eight of the 30 candidates should have gotten face-to-face interviews, she said.
“I found out, I’m sure like everyone else did through the paper, that one person was interviewed and that one person was picked,” Williams said. “I feel that this is irresponsible as well as a little shady … I wish that I was given an opportunity for an interview.”
None of the commissioners responded to Williams’ comments.
Sacco bids farewell
Sacco also bid farewell in what likely was her final meeting as a commissioner. She was sworn in on Oct. 22 after a protracted legal battle over filling the vacancy created by McGloin’s resignation in February.
“Even though it has been a short period of time and I should have been seated months ago, I am honored to have served the people of Lackawanna County,” Sacco said.
Thom Welby won a special election in the Nov. 4 general election to fill the remainder of the McGloin term.
The county Board of Elections has a meeting scheduled for Friday to certify the result of the general election.
Welby on Wednesday said his swearing-in as a commissioner will occur Tuesday at 11 a.m. by President Judge James Gibbons in Courtroom 4 at the Lackawanna County Courthouse.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners meeting is held in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Brenda Sacco speaks during the commissioners meeting in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Brenda Sacco speaks during the commissioners meeting in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak looks on during the commissioners meeting in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan speaks during the commissioners meeting in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan speaks during the commissioners meeting in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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The Lackawanna County Commissioners meeting is held in the county government center Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)