Report
Where Berks County's $690 million budget goes
Berks County's 2026 budget spends $690 million. Where the money comes from, where it goes, and why county taxes cover only about a quarter of it.
July 7, 2026
Meeting Recap
Berks County adopts AI policy, awards uniform contracts
The July 2, 2026 Berks County commissioners meeting: a new AI policy for employees, $206K in uniform contracts, a $300K farm loan, and an ICE comment.
July 7, 2026
Meeting Preview
Berks County commissioners July 9: a 600 Penn Street step
The July 9, 2026 Berks County agenda: outside lawyers to negotiate a possible purchase of 600 Penn Street, $600,000 in budget moves, and how to comment.
July 7, 2026
Reports
Report
Berks County's new jail: four years of planning, no decision
Berks County said a new jail would beat renovating the old one. Four years after restarting the project there is no site, no price, and no decision.
July 7, 2026
Guides
Guide
Berks County 2026 election guide: dates and how to vote
Key dates for the November 3, 2026 election in Berks County: registration and mail-ballot deadlines, the governor race, and where results post.
July 7, 2026
Guide
How to appeal your Berks County property assessment
The annual Berks County assessment appeal deadline is August 1. How the process works, what evidence wins, what it costs, and what changed in 2026.
July 7, 2026
Guide
How to speak at a Berks County commissioners meeting
When and where the Berks County commissioners meet, how to watch online, the exact public-comment rules, and how to find agendas and minutes.
July 7, 2026
Guide
Berks County parcel search: look up any property
Use Berks County's free parcel search to find any property's owner, assessed value, and sales history, plus where to get copies of deeds.
July 7, 2026
Guide
Berks Heim: Berks County's public nursing home
Berks Heim in Leesport is a 420-bed nursing home owned by Berks County, one of the few county-run homes left in Pennsylvania. Costs, admission, and why it matters.
July 7, 2026
Guide
How Berks County government works
What the three Berks County commissioners do, what the row officers are, and what the county controls versus your township and school district.
July 7, 2026
Guide
How your Berks County property tax bill is split
Your Berks County property tax bill has three parts: county, municipal, and school. What each funds, why school is biggest, and how to find your rate.
July 7, 2026
Opinions
Opinion
Opinion: Berks County should show the 600 Penn Street math
A centralized government center might be a fine idea. But taxpayers have seen no price, no cost comparison, and no plan for the buildings left behind.
July 7, 2026
Opinion
Opinion: Berks County meetings are too hard to follow
Berks County publishes agendas, minutes, and budgets, but almost no resident can use them. Four inexpensive fixes would change that.
July 7, 2026