Ontario County 2026 budget has lower tax rate, higher levy, and targeted investments

Ontario County’s 2026 budget is locked in, and while the tax levy is rising, the tax rate is going down for the second straight year — a reflection of surging property values and continued population growth.

The Board of Supervisors approved a $347.1 million spending plan for 2026, a 2.83% increase over this year. The county will raise $89.02 million in property taxes, up 6.5%, but the tax rate will fall from $5.58 to $5.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s the lowest county rate in more than half a decade.

The county’s taxable value jumped to $16.1 billion, up from $14.9 billion last year. That growth allowed supervisors to spread the levy increase over a larger base, softening the impact on many homeowners.

The budget reflects pressure points that have defined county government throughout 2024 and 2025: inflation in public safety costs, cuts to federal and state aid for human services, workforce shortages, and rapidly increasing demand tied to housing and energy constraints.

Supervisors targeted several areas for new or expanded investment:

• Public safety, which will grow by 11.6% to $53.8 million, driven largely by Sheriff’s Office staffing, jail operations, and school safety initiatives.
• Health and Human Services, rising 2.1% amid higher mandated-program obligations and reduced federal support.
• Workforce development, focused on staffing and programs tied to housing, energy reliability, and economic development.
• Employee compensation, including competitive wages, benefits, and strategic new positions across departments to maintain service levels.

Mandated services — which the county must fund regardless of cost — will total $87.8 million, a 9.2% increase over last year. Social Services alone represents more than $34 million of that requirement.

On the revenue side, sales tax is projected at $60.4 million, up roughly $2 million from last year and accounting for more than 17% of the county’s income. State aid will drop by $3.7 million, while federal aid will increase by $6.08 million, balancing out some of the pressure in human service programs.

The county will use $19.8 million in fund balance and reserves, a 19% reduction from 2025 — a deliberate move by county leaders who have emphasized long-term financial stability and maintaining strong reserves amid rising capital and service demands.

County Administrator Chris DeBolt said the plan reflects both strategic discipline and the reality of a county that continues to grow. “Population growth and rising property values expand our tax base, but they also increase demand for services. This budget meets those needs while keeping taxes affordable,” he said in the budget message.

Ontario County remains one of the few upstate counties not grappling with population loss, and supervisors say that creates both opportunity and obligation. The 2026 plan continues the county’s practice of operating with zero tax-levy-funded debt, relying instead on reserves, capital planning, and strict departmental budgeting.

The budget takes effect January 1.

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