After encountering stagnant property-tax revenue and leaping costs for health-care and pension obligations, counties also are finding that a potential solution - raising the tax rate - does not seem viable, at least politically.

Bucks, Chester and Montgomery Counties released preliminary budgets yesterday. Delaware County's was introduced three weeks ago.

In Montgomery County, Commissioners Chairman James R. Matthews ticked off a list of national and local economic concerns - from the cost of health-care reform to raises in utility bills - as reasons to back off his earlier contemplation of a property-tax increase.

"Everybody is scared right now," Matthews said.

County levies typically make up only a portion of a homeowner's total tax bill, often as little as one-fifth. The bulk of property taxes go to school districts. Townships and boroughs also levy a tax.

The counties are grappling with ways to cover millions of dollars in shortfalls while avoiding a tax increase - a task made all the more difficult as candidates for statewide office occupy commissioners' offices in three of the counties.

Should their final budgets include tax increases, Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III, also a Democratic candidate for governor, and Republican lieutenant-governor candidates Carol Aichele and Jim Cawley, she a county commissioner in Chester and he in Bucks, would have to defend their moves to voters statewide next year.

Here is a look at each of the four counties.

Bucks County

"We are continuing to look for further cuts in the budget, and look for additional revenue sources," said David Boscola, the deputy finance director.

One of the shortfalls was in grants from the state used by the health department.

Along with cuts in state funding, the two biggest issues the county faces involve increased costs related to pension and health-care benefits.

"We are holding the same benefits, but they cost more," said Brian Hessenthaler, county finance director.

The county has three options, he said: Raise taxes, take money from the $69.7 million surplus in the general fund, or combine the two.

If the county does not dip into the general fund, the tax increase would be $31.75 on the average property, assessed at $35,766.

Hessenthaler said he did not think dipping into the rainy-day fund would affect the county's bond rating.

"The general fund is up well in excess of what bond companies want," he said.

The county is not projecting cuts in services, or layoffs.

Bucks County did have some unanticipated revenue this year. Real estate tax collection was better than expected, and there was a bump from gaming money at PhiladelphiaPark in Bensalem.