York County council approves 2025-26 budget after heated debate over recreation tax and program funding

York County Council approved second reading of the county’s fiscal year operating and capital budget on May 19 after a prolonged debate about recreation funding, staffing and county priorities.

The council also voted to abolish the York County Recreation Tax District, removing the 1.5‑mill recreation tax applied only to unincorporated residents and replacing the program with a proposed countywide funding mechanism to be implemented later in the budget process. The ordinance to abolish the special tax district was adopted on second reading at the meeting; council members discussed implementation details and directed staff to work with municipal leaders on an alternative distribution and access plan.

Budget debate focused on whether to retain the 1.5 mills levied on unincorporated properties that had historically been distributed to municipalities for active recreation. Proponents said the tax funded programs for unincorporated residents to access municipal recreation and senior services; opponents said the allocation lacked transparency and measurable participation data. Council members gave repeated examples of municipal capital projects — including recent, large investments in Rock Hill parks — as part of the discussion.

The council considered and voted on numerous amendments during second reading. Notable outcomes and items added or directed to staff included: - The council rejected an amendment to reinsert the 1.5‑mill unincorporated rec tax into the budget (amendment failed). - Council approved several targeted funding requests only after staff were asked to analyze potential offsets: requests included partial increases for community nonprofits and a review of staffing requests. Members asked staff to return with funding sources and budget offsets before any added expenditures are finalized. - An amendment reallocating $60,000 from H‑tax allocations to fund construction of the Nanny’s Mountain master plan passed; the motion specified adjusting millage rates tied to Lake Wylie recreation allocations to keep the change revenue neutral.

Highlights from the meeting’s discussion: members emphasized the county’s long‑term needs — staffing, capital projects and maintenance — while expressing reluctance to increase taxes. Multiple council members said they would not support any tax increases unless unavoidable. The county manager briefed council on the strategic plan and the need to fill organizational gaps; he said some requested positions were intended to centralize capital project management.

Several nonprofit requests were raised at the meeting (Keystone, Safe Passage, and Catawba Mental Health) and council members asked staff to return at a later date with options for partial funding that would not increase the overall levy until the committee and staff identified offsets.

On the recreation tax, the council directed staff to convene municipal recreation directors and city managers to develop an access and allocation plan for residents. The council’s intent, members said, is to ensure unincorporated residents retain access to municipal recreation services while improving accountability for how funds are distributed. If necessary, council members said they will revisit the matter at a future meeting.