York County budget workshop: manager to present FY26 on April 21; staff outline tipping-fee changes, consultant RFP and public maps

York County Council held a budget workshop April 8, during which staff reviewed the FY2026 calendar and described operational follow-ups that will appear in the manager's recommended budget.

County Manager Josh Edwards said he will present the manager's recommended FY26 budget on April 21; the council's first reading is scheduled for May 5 and a public hearing for May 13. Trisha Startup, the county budget director, told council members the presentation schedule was set so members have time to review the recommended budget before the first reading.

Why it matters: the staff timeline sets the formal path for budget decisions that will determine fee changes, capital spending and the county's operating priorities for the coming year.

Staff outlined several operational items that will be in or connected to the recommended budget. Edwards said the manager's office included a line item for an outside consultant and has developed an RFP that will be posted after the budget is approved and the fiscal year begins in July. "We've included the cost for the consultant in next year's budget, and we'll have that RFP ready to submit as soon as the budget is approved and begins in July," Edwards said.

Kevin Madden, assistant county manager/CFO, described proposed adjustments to landfill tipping fees. "We are handling the landfill tipping fees just as we have in the past," Madden said. "We don't try to, I'm gonna say maximize the profit in that fund. We want to make sure that fund can stand alone and support itself. And so that's the reason for the increase." He added the county's current fees remain "very much below the market price" but that the adjustments are intended to keep the landfill fund self-sustaining.

Staff also announced plans to provide clearer fee information to residents. Edwards said the budget will be accompanied by a county fee schedule so residents and businesses know what to expect.

Mapping and public-data follow-up: Dave Gardner, assistant manager of public safety, and Tom Couch, assistant manager of development services, briefed council on maps staff are assembling. Gardner said the county already maintains water-and-sewer maps but keeps them behind password protection because they contain critical infrastructure. "We'd like to work with council to find out what information that you need... we have them, and they are available. They're just password protected," Gardner said. He told council staff will work with members to tailor what is shared.

By contrast, staff said a roads map will be made public. The county intends to add a layer for gravel roads, break roads down by district and, potentially, annotate which roads are county-owned versus prescriptive easement across private property. Council members asked about adding project and grant overlays (pennies-for-progress, state paving schedules) so users can click a road and see upcoming pavement plans; staff said an interactive GIS with a relational database could provide that level of detail and that existing capital-improvement layers will be married into the overall roads map.

What comes next: staff will present the manager's recommended budget April 21 and will bring the fee schedule, tipping-fee proposals and map access options forward during the formal budget process.

Ending: the council will receive the recommended FY26 budget April 21, hold a first reading May 5 and a public hearing May 13; staff said more-detailed materials on fees, maps and the proposed consultant will be available as the budget proceeds through that timeline.