Mercer County Commissioners adopted a $420 million county budget that funds county operations and decreases the tax rate for 2025.
It was a unanimous vote on May 22. The budget was first introduced in April.
“When I took office in 2024, I knew the problems Mercer County faced were not going to be fixed in one year, and some might not even be fixed in one term,” Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said. “Working closely with the Commissioner Board, we were able to create a budget that would work for all our residents, while saving money by not filling vacancies and delaying less time-sensitive projects.”
The expected county tax rate for the 2025 budget is 51.7 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is a 3.2-cent decrease from 2024. The owner of a home assessed at $275,000 in Mercer County will pay $1,422 in county taxes for 2025.
In 2024, county taxes were 54.9 cents per $100 of assessed value. The owner of an average home assessed at $286,000 in Mercer County paid $1,570 in county taxes.
Mercer County taxes are just one of the items on a property owner’s total tax bill, which also includes municipal taxes and school district taxes.
The amount a property owner pays in taxes is determined by the assessed value of his or her property, and the tax rates set by each of the taxing entities.
“Once again, in working with the Benson Administration, we have had a partner who understands our concerns and is willing to make sure we have a budget that preserves key services without over-burdening the taxpayer,” Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin said.
Mercer County’s appropriations are expected to be $420 million, a $31 million decrease from the $451 million in total appropriations in 2024.
Residential and commercial property owners support the appropriations through a tax levy, which is increasing to $334.8 million from $322.5 million in the previous year.
The county budget covers items such as the cost of general county administration, the sheriff’s office, salary and wages, insurance, and investment in infrastructure, public programs and community development.
According to the county, the budget emphasizes fiscal restraint through measures such as not filling vacancies and delaying less time-sensitive projects.
The county is set to use $30.3 million from surplus as revenue in the budget.
Other revenues include: $6.5 million from airport income; $5.8 million from interest on investments and deposits; $4.6 million from the county clerk’s office; $3.8 million from Mercer Oaks Golf Course; $2.5 million in added and omitted taxes; $1.7 million from Mountainview Golf Course; $1.3 million from PILOT payments; $1.1 million from motor vehicle fines, and $1 million from Board of State Prisoners.
For appropriations, the budget is appropriating $48 million towards debt service, $44.2 million toward group health insurance, $37.3 million towards the Mercer County Correction Center, $23.1 million to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, $22.9 million towards the Mercer County Sherriff’s Office, $19.7 million towards Mercer County Community College; and $14 million to rental lease payments.
Additional appropriations include $8.3 million to insurance premiums, $7.3 million to Trenton-Mercer Airport, $6.8 million towards medical services, and $5 million toward the Special Services School District.
