Who’s running Chester County — and who pays the price?

Chester County is a glaring example of poor fiscal planning and what’s unfolding is deeply concerning — including a significant tax increase, declining grant revenue, the creation of an unelected executive branch, and rising debt.

A 13.47 percent historic tax increase was implemented this year without a clear and detailed explanation of the rationale. In addition, there was no plan to offset declining state and federal grant funding — which makes up 40 percent of the county’s budget. Someone in the county should have anticipated this during the 2025 budget cycle, especially with federal elections in November 2024.

Next, the creation of a new executive branch — featuring a CEO (Chief Executive Officer), COO (Chief Operating Officer), and now a CXO (Chief Experience Officer) — raises serious questions. Chester County appears to be the only county in Pennsylvania with an unelected CEO. Philadelphia has similar unelected roles but the city is not the model of fiscal discipline.

These roles are among the highest paid in the county, yet they lack direct accountability to taxpayers. What exactly is the role of a Chief Experience Officer? Candidly, I believe this is a taxpayer funded campaign manager for the commissioners. They also promoted internal staff to the position of COO at an elevated salary. All of this was done while raising taxes to historically high levels.

This is not sound governance.

Looking at the budget numbers, the county payroll rose from $183 million in 2021 to $220 million in 2025, with a 10 percent increase from 2024 to 2025 from $200 million to $220 million. The gross taxes collected in 2025 are $212 million, leaving an $8 million shortfall to cover payroll, even after the tax hike. Without the tax increase, the shortfall would’ve been $35 million.

The Commissioners’ budget alone grew by 20.6 percent from fiscal year 2024 to fiscal year 2025, adding two full-time employees.

To better understand the value of these new executive roles, I submitted two Right-to-Know requests. The first requested salaries and benefits.

I received only base salaries: $175,000 for the CEO, $165,000 for the COO, and later learned the CXO earns $164,000. Benefits were withheld, but based on industry standards, I estimate the executive suite costs taxpayers around $500,000 annually. 

I understand the Commissioners are stating that the COO was a promotion of an administrator and the other positions were “planned.” In my opinion it is simply an attempt to obfuscate the situation. 

The second request asked for calendars and reports from these executives. The CEO’s calendar was filled with community events and board meetings with no substantive reports. The COO appeared to support the CFO, who was the only one producing meaningful work. This raises concerns about the return on investment for these high-salary positions.

The CXO’s job description emphasized “citizen experience,” yet the role now oversees troubled departments like Voter Services. It’s unclear why this position was prioritized during a budget crunch — especially as departments are now being asked to cut five percent for 2026.

Rising long-term debt is another major concern. Instead of retiring 2014 bonds, the county refinanced them for another ten years and plans to borrow $79 million more over the next five years. Due to the rising debt costs, our debt service tax rate increased by 18 percent, adding to the burden on taxpayers.

New policy measures are needed immediately to restore fiscal accountability in Chester County.

First, the county needs to create a budget review board, consisting of one representative from each township and borough, that has veto power over the county budget. This concept would introduce real checks and balances, instead of two or three commissioners deciding on the budget without any independent body reviewing and challenging.

Second, the county needs to implement a payroll cap where it does not exceed tax revenue for government services. This simple rule would enforce financial discipline and require the county to live within its means.

We need our county government to challenge wasteful spending, not increase it. Damaging financial decisions today will impact our quality of life down the road.

Our priority must be to take care of the neediest among us, keep our youth here to start businesses and raise their families, and for all to live the life they choose. What we have now are policies that are pushing people away due to high living costs compounded by a rising tax burden. 

While the county has seen population growth in the past, that trajectory could easily change with such a high cost of living. This must stop before it is too late.

Joe Lorusso is a twelve-year resident of Chester County and a retired Investment Professional. He is currently running for Chester County Controller.