Chester County Commissioners on Dec. 8 unanimously approved a 2015 budget with no tax increase.

The 2015 budget includes $432,499,283 in operating expenses and $89,531,813 in the capital budget.  The county’s tax rate remains one of the lowest in southeastern Pennsylvania.  The full spending plan will be posted at www.chesco.org by Friday, Dec. 12.

County officials say during the past six years they have streamlined operating costs and reduced the number of full time employees. They have also regularly reviewed health benefit costs. These reviews and an employee wellness program have resulted in a medical cost increase of less than one percent, well below the national average increase in health costs.

During 2015 the county will see a marginal increase in federal and state funding. About 41 percent of county operating revenues come from federal and state grants, which are budgeted to increase by $.06 million, representing a less than one percent increase over 2014. The county’s property tax base is slightly higher.

The 2015 plan is in alignment with priorities and goals in the county Strategic Plan. Its six priority areas are Health, Human Services and Environment; Public Safety; Economy; Transportation; Growth; and Smart Financial Management.