The general fund balance was $27 million on Dec. 31, 2024, which was 22.8% of operating costs. In 2014, the county fund balance was a $16.9 million deficit. The county has been able to improve its credit rating by increasing its fund balance and reducing its debt total. S&P lowered Luzerne County’s credit rating from BB+ to BBB in November 2015. Last month, county council adopted a 2026 general fund budget with $170.4 million in general fund expenditures and a 1.5% increase in the property tax rate.