York County council leans toward 1.5-mill countywide recreation tax to fund parks but members differ on aid for municipalities

York County Council considered recommendations from a Parks Master Plan committee at an April 8 budget workshop and signaled majority support for a proposed 1.5-mill countywide levy to fund parks operations and capital needs.

Why it matters: Council faces choices that will change how recreation is funded across York County, affect municipal partners and determine whether the county sets aside capital for new parks, including Woodend, and maintains existing passive parks and services.

Josh Edwards, the county manager, summarized work from the Parks Master Plan consultant and the HEP committee. He said the consultant recommended a three-phase approach: address immediate operational needs (already funded in FY25), identify funding for current and future parks operations and capital, and study the recreation tax and its implications for municipal funding. The committee recommended a countywide 1.5 mills added to the general fund millage to support county parks operations…