York County adopts Fort Mill School District impact fee; council approves $29,640 single-family fee 4-3

York County Council approved third reading of an ordinance on April 7 establishing a public education facilities impact fee for Fort Mill School District No. 4. The measure passed 4-3 and sets the impact fee at $29,640 for a single-family detached dwelling and $20,796 for a multi-dwelling unit. The ordinance also authorizes an intergovernmental agreement between York County and Fort Mill School District No. 4 to administer fees and capital plans.

Supporters argued the fee makes growth pay for the school capacity and capital costs new development generates, and that it prevents a larger tax burden on existing residents. One public commenter, Scott Cochenour of Fort Mill, said: "So I am speaking in favor of the impact fee to hit the full amount tonight." Council supporters said the fee would reduce potential future millage increases by shifting costs to new development rather than current taxpayers.

Opponents raised affordability and fairness concerns. Michael Pruner, president of the York County Home Builders Association, told council the required analysis on affordable housing was not publicly available and urged the council to delay action until that information was provided: "I'd implore counsel to refrain from taking additional action this evening until the questions about the taxes and the housing affordability study required by state statute are addressed." Councilmember Roddy said he opposed the size of the fee and worried it would impose a heavy cost on buyers and longtime residents who subdivide family land, recalling earlier impact-fee debates: "I was against the $1,819,000" fee in a prior package and said the new $30,000-per-house number is too high.

Council members gave several rounds of remarks over multiple meetings before the third reading. Supporters argued the fee preserves tax savings for current residents that would otherwise be required to fund school capital needs; opponents argued the fee is excessive, creates equity issues for long-term residents and families who build on inherited lots, and questioned whether growth projections justify the level set in the ordinance.

The ordinance sets the fee amounts, establishes procedures under York County Ordinance 27-18, and authorizes an intergovernmental agreement with the Fort Mill School District defining rights and responsibilities for collection and use of the fees. Council recorded the final vote as 4 in favor and 3 opposed.

The effective date and schedule for collection and the details for exemptions or credits were not specified in the meeting record; county staff and the school district will be responsible for implementing the fee schedule and the intergovernmental agreement.