Erie County Executive Brenton Davis has submitted his proposed 2026 county budget, totaling $549,335,250, to County Council. The plan highlights investments in key community priorities while maintaining fiscal responsibility and avoiding a tax increase.
In his budget message, Davis said Erie County continues to face challenges such as inflation, increased demand for social services, and limited revenue growth. Despite those pressures, he noted that the administration worked with the county fiscal team and department leadership to craft a balanced budget that protects essential services.
“This document reflects our collective aspiration to maintain and enhance the core services our residents rely upon, while responding to evolving challenges and planning for our future,” Davis wrote.
The 2026 budget prioritizes five main areas of investment:
- Public safety and emergency services
- Affordable housing and homelessness prevention
- Infrastructure and capital projects
- Human services and health
- Economic and workforce development
A key point of the proposal is that there will be no tax increase for county residents. Instead, the county plans to use $3.9 million from the unrestricted fund balance to support services. Davis said this approach follows long-standing fiscal policy while keeping the county’s fund balance at a healthy $51.6 million, well above the required reserve.
Davis stressed that the budget supports community needs without relying on “unsustainable assumptions or one-time fixes,” and ensures continued funding for public safety, health, social services, and education.
The proposal will now go before Erie County Council for review and discussion. Davis said he looks forward to working with council members in the weeks ahead.
“I am confident that through open dialogue and partnership, we will arrive at a final budget that best serves our community,” Davis wrote.
Davis’ proposed budget can be found here.
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