With significant investments in housing, public health, infrastructure, and workforce development, an Indian American-majority county in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state, unanimously adopted its 2026 budget, the first bipartisan county budget in almost ten years.
Under the direction of County Commissioner Neil Makhija, an Indian American who chairs the Board of Commissioners, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania’s third-largest county with a population of over 865,000, approved the $1.2 billion budget last week. At a time of political turmoil at the federal and state levels, county officials characterized the budget as a data-driven endeavor centered on local needs.
Montgomery County plays a significant role in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground in US elections. The budget was approved unanimously, marking a rare cross-party accord in a politically significant county that is more populated than four US states and Washington, D.C.
$5.3 million has been set aside under the approved budget plan to increase housing and homelessness solutions, including the construction of new transitional housing throughout the county. In the suburbs around Philadelphia, homelessness and housing affordability have become increasingly pressing issues.
$7.2 million will go toward public health and safety measures. The cash is intended to improve crisis response and fortify emergency communications systems, two areas that county authorities determined to be top priorities.
One of the biggest percentages of the budget goes for infrastructure. The county has allocated $35 million for the upkeep and modernization of 75 miles of roads and 131 bridges that are utilized annually by millions of residents and commuters. According to local leaders, the improvements are essential to preserving both economic activity and safety.
Additionally, $16.6 million is allocated in the budget for the upkeep of nearly 6,000 acres of parks, trails, and historic sites. These public areas are a major component of the county’s recreational and environmental resources, drawing over three million visitors each year.
Additionally, over $1.5 million has been set aside to enhance operational effectiveness and promote a more robust and equitable county workforce. Better staff support and more effective county operations are the main priorities, according to officials.
According to county officials, the budget incorporates cost-cutting initiatives while remaining balanced. The Office of Innovation, Strategy, and Performance found state and federal funds, eliminated redundancies, mandated vendor competition, and obtained charitable backing, all of which contributed to savings. Priority community needs were funded with the savings.
As the chair of the Board of Commissioners, Makhija is in charge of the county’s finances and the about 3,000 workers who are in charge of the criminal justice system, public safety, infrastructure, and human services.
He represented Pennsylvania counties in lawsuits against pharmaceutical firms over the opioid crisis and taught election law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School prior to running for office. In the past, he was the executive director of Indian American Impact, a South Asian civic association that promoted civic engagement.
The nonpartisan budget, according to Montgomery County officials, positions the county for the upcoming year despite economic instability and growing demands on public services by showing how local governments can produce outcomes even while larger political discussions remain contentious.
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