Mercer County Executive Dan Benson proposed a $430 million county budget on March 26, 2026, outlining a plan that balances rising costs and reduced federal funding while maintaining core services and continuing major investments across the county.
The proposal represents just over a 6% increase in spending compared to last year, while the county tax rate would slightly decrease to 51 cents per $100 of assessed property value, down from 52 cents.
Benson said the lower rate is tied to rising property values and economic growth, though he cautioned it is too early to determine the full impact on residents’ overall tax bills.
Three major drivers behind the increase
In his budget address, Benson said more than 73% of the increase is driven by three primary factors:
- Increased funding for Mercer County Community College and the Special Services School District
- Rising costs for public safety operations, including the prosecutor, sheriff, and corrections
- Continued increases in employee healthcare costs
“These pressures are largely outside of our control,” Benson said in his address.
Healthcare costs alone remain a major challenge. The county moved employees out of the State Health Benefits Plan in an effort to reduce increases from approximately 31% to about 17.5%, though costs continue to rise.
Federal cuts create additional pressure
Benson also pointed to a growing gap created by reductions in federal funding.
The county expects to lose approximately $6.5 million for supportive housing programs, along with additional cuts to public health funding, SNAP benefits, and Medicaid support.
“These cuts are creating a whole new set of financial challenges for county governments across the country,” Benson said.
Nearly 85,000 Mercer County residents rely on Medicaid, including a large number of children, according to the address.
Balancing cost control with continued investment
Despite those pressures, Benson said the county is continuing to invest in infrastructure, economic development, and community services.
Major projects highlighted in the budget include:
- Ongoing renovations at the Trenton Thunder Ballpark
- Upgrades to the CURE Insurance Arena ahead of a new professional hockey team
- Improvements to the Trenton-Mercer Airport
- Open space preservation, including more than 50 acres acquired from Rider University
The county is also using remaining federal pandemic relief funds to support:
- Library upgrades
- Senior transportation and services
- Public health vehicles
- Food security programs in partnership with local nonprofits
Benson emphasized that the administration is attempting to manage costs without reducing services.
“Cost-control is important,” he said, “but we must also continue to make strategic investments in projects across our communities.”
County finances showing improvement
Benson said the county’s financial position has improved in recent years after earlier challenges with delayed audits and internal financial management.
A recent assessment from Moody’s gave the county a positive outlook, citing improved financial operations and greater stability.
That improved outlook allows the county to borrow at lower interest rates, which Benson said can save taxpayers money on long-term infrastructure projects.
Local impacts and projects
The budget also includes investments that directly affect communities across Mercer County, including:
- Emergency response upgrades, including a shared emergency support vehicle assigned to Hopewell Township
- Continued improvements to county roads and bridges
- Expansion of emergency communications systems
- Support for economic development projects, including planned redevelopment of the former AMC site in Hamilton
Benson also highlighted ongoing collaboration with municipalities and the county commissioners, calling the budget a reflection of shared priorities.
Looking ahead
The proposed budget will now be reviewed by the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, who will work with the administration before final adoption.
Benson acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly around healthcare costs and economic uncertainty.
“There are a lot of challenges that we still have to navigate,” he said.
But he expressed confidence in the county’s direction, pointing to recent progress and ongoing investments.
