Luzerne County’s administration will present its proposed 2026 budget to council next week, possibly seeking a real estate tax increase.

“If there is a recommended tax increase, it would be modest,” county manager Romilda Crocamo said Monday.

Crocamo, who started work as the county overseer in May 2023, had submitted no-tax-hike budgets for 2024 and 2025.

She described the 2026 budget drafting process as “difficult,” largely due to rising costs in the court and correctional services branches.

“All costs are going up, just like in the private sector,” Crocamo said. “We have mandates and requirements we have to meet, and if we don’t fulfill them, we will get sanctioned.”

Credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s recently noted anticipation of a county tax increase when the agency opted t

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