At its May 5 meeting, York County Council approved the first reading of the FY 2026 budget, which includes a 1.5 mil tax increase on all county residents to support parks and recreation funding. Simultaneously, Council took first reading to abolish the existing 1.5 mil tax that had applied only to unincorporated residents, which previously funded their access to municipal recreation programs. These two actions shift the cost of recreation programming from a limited tax base to all property owners countywide.
Councilmen Watts Huckabee and Tom Audette opposed this change, arguing it unfairly burdens municipal residents, who already fund their own parks and recreation through local taxes. Huckabee stated, “They got $115 million of cumulative capital projects on the books… our citizens really shouldn’t be paying for the incorporated citizens only for $1.2 million.” Audette added, “We need to recognize the cost of maintaining their facilities” and advocated to retain the original tax on unincorporated residents.
Detailed Summary of Each Agenda Item
1. Oaths of Office
Newly appointed board and commission members were sworn in. These include appointments to the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Fire Tax District Boards, Parks Boards, and others. Council members expressed appreciation for citizens who volunteer to support county governance.
2. National Correctional Officers and Employees Appreciation Week
Council passed a resolution recognizing May 4–10 as National Correctional Officers and Employees Appreciation Week. Sheriff Kevin Tolson and others from the detention center were present to receive the recognition. Tolson noted, “We get inmate request forms… praising and thanking our staff for treating them like a human being.”
Consent Agenda (Approved Unanimously)
-
Approval of Minutes: Council approved minutes from workshops and meetings held between March 21 and April 21, 2025.
-
Zoning Case #25-03:
Location: Rock Hill | Request: RMX-20 & OI to RMX-6
Council approved third reading to rezone existing multifamily communities (Lake Club, Devonridge, Magnolia Place) to the newly created RMX-6 district to remove nonconforming zoning status. No development changes are planned. -
Zoning Case #25-04:
Location: McConnells Hwy, Rock Hill | Request: NC to RSF-30
Council approved third reading to rezone 2.13 acres to residential single-family (RSF-30) to allow subdivision into two parcels. -
Zoning Case #25-05:
Location: Holbrook Road, Fort Mill | Request: RSF-40 to RUD and vice versa
Council approved third reading to rezone 0.185 acres to resolve an encroachment between two properties. The overall land use remains unchanged. -
Land Development Code Amendment:
Council approved third reading of an amendment to redefine “minor subdivision,” ensuring that divisions creating seven or more lots require plat approval. -
Water Management Resolution:
Council adopted a resolution to join the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group, supporting collaborative efforts to manage water resources across the basin. -
Grants and Technology Purchases:
Approved applications for solid waste grants ($38,300), purchase of Rubrik backup software ($533,730), and forensic software for the Sheriff’s Office ($71,922). -
Engineering and Road Projects (Pennies for Progress):
Council approved multiple design contracts:-
Dam Rd./Gardendale Rd. Intersection – $573,277 (Campco)
-
US 321/Flatrock Rd./Huffman Rd. – $421,625 (Transystems)
-
Fort Mill Parkway Widening – $5,473,974 (HDR)
-
Neely Road Corridor – $1,978,772 (KCI)
-
White Street Corridor – $1,102,649 (Campco)
-
-
Additional Road and Infrastructure Items:
-
Cel River Road Reimbursement Agreement with the City of Rock Hill
-
Change Order #1 for Hwy 21 Turn Lane (McCully Creek) – $222,703
-
Change Order #3 – McCelvey Center Repair – $73,000 for unforeseen project delays
-
Public Hearings and Zoning – First Readings
-
Zoning Case #25-08:
Location: Mt. Gallant Rd, Rock Hill | RMX-20 to RSF-40
Council approved first reading to allow combination with an adjacent parcel. -
Zoning Case #25-09:
Location: Hwy 160 W, Fort Mill | RUD to RMX-6
Council approved first reading to allow development of a senior townhome community. -
Zoning Case #25-10:
Location: Corporate Blvd, Rock Hill | UD to ID
Approved for expanded industrial uses, including outdoor storage. -
Fourth Amendment to TIF Agreement with City of Rock Hill:
Council approved amendment reducing TIF allocations from $54M to $48M. The adjustment accounts for a new $10M grant and reprioritized projects (notably parking at The Thread and Herald sites). -
Project Unagi – Incentive Agreement:
Council approved an agreement offering infrastructure credits to Project Unagi, which is expected to invest $5M and create 146 jobs at an average wage of $39/hour.
New Business Items
-
Library and Historical Records Preservation:
Council authorized negotiations for a $994,395 five-year project to preserve historic land records using a sole-source vendor. -
FY 2026 Budget Ordinance – First Reading:
Includes a new 1.5 mil tax for countywide parks and recreation.
See general summary above for full details. -
Ordinance to Abolish York County Recreation Tax District – First Reading:
Ends the 1.5 mil unincorporated tax after December 31, 2025.
See general summary above for full details. -
Personnel Policy Amendments – First Reading by Title Only:
Updates to sick leave, parental leave, and creation of bereavement leave. -
Economic Development Board Restructuring – First Reading by Title Only:
Reconfigures the inactive board to improve community and industry engagement.
Committee Reports & Executive Session
-
Reports:
-
Justice & Public Safety Committee (April 30)
-
Economic Development Committee (May 1)
-
Finance & Operations Committee (May 5)
-
-
Executive Session Topics:
-
Legal updates
-
County Attorney review
-
Outside counsel retention
-
Project Cobra (details not disclosed)
-
