Chester County's 2015 budget does not raise property tax

For a third straight year, Chester County will not raise property taxes in 2015, according to a preliminary budget unveiled Tuesday that officials developed to align with the county's strategic goals while adjusting for economic challenges.

Those challenges include the county's two main revenue streams: its tax base and state and federal grants, which are expected to stay relatively flat. County officials also said they worked to keep cost increases for employees' medical plans at a minimum.

Tax rates stayed level in part because the preliminary budget also reduces the number of full-time county employees, as it has done for the last five years. The county will save $400,000 through the restructuring of departments and the reduction of full-time positions to 2,355, said Mark Rupsis, chief operating officer.

The 2014 median assessed value of a home in the county is $166,285. The proposed county tax bill for such a home would be $692.24.

Operating expenses in the preliminary budget total $432 million. The county's capital budget is $89 million.

The budget also continues to fund open-space projects and a community revitalization program for the county's urban centers. The budget funds other county priorities, including implementing the county's 10-year economic development strategy and improving access to public transportation.

Funding to provide shuttle bus service from the Exton train station to West Chester is also included in the budget.

The county is scheduled to present its 2015 preliminary budget at a hearing Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the commissioners' board room, 313 W. Market St., West Chester.