Description of the Indicator
The county fiscal snapshot depicts fiscal indicators across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties, including total revenue, revenue per capita, total expenditures, and expenditures per capita.
Why is it important?
The fiscal snapshot points to the fiscal health of the three-county region. Increasing costs can challenge a county’s ability to maintain strong fiscal health. Policymakers can often respond to such challenges by analyzing trends concerning revenue and expenditures.
How is the region performing?
Lackawanna County has slightly higher expenses than revenue per capita, while Luzerne and Wayne Counties have slightly higher revenue than expenses per capita. Lackawanna County saw an increase in expenses with a slight decrease in revenue in 2022. Conversely, Luzerne and Wayne counties saw increases in revenue, with Luzerne County lowering expenses and Wayne County increasing expenses. All three saw taxes per capita increase.
Intergovernmental revenue has fluctuated for Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne Counties. Revenue increased for all three counties in 2022. Funds transferred from one level of government to another are considered intergovernmental revenue. These transfers may be in grants, shared taxes, or allocations to support specific projects, programs, or activities.