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York County begins public hearings on FY2026 budget and proposed tax-rate increase; residents press board to fully fund schools
Summary
York County officials opened public hearings on the proposed FY2026 budget April 15, presenting a $288 million all-funds proposal and an advertised real-estate tax rate of 80 cents that the board discussed lowering to 78 cents as supervisors weighed school funding, employee compensation and capital cuts.
York County officials opened public hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rates at the April 15 Board of Supervisors meeting as residents and organizations urged either restraint on taxes or additional investment in schools and county services.
County Administrator Mark Bellamy reviewed the proposal: "The total proposed budget, all funds less the transfers, is $288,000,000," he told supervisors, and said the proposed general fund is about $200 million. Bellamy said staff and departments identified $15.2 million in reductions to the operating budget and removed roughly $53 million from the six-year capital improvement program after committee and board review.
The board advertised the real-estate tax rate at 80 cents per $100 of assessed value to provide flexibility but discussed a working figure of 78 cents. Officials described pressures on the budget: employee compensation, an increase in the county contribution to schools, public-safety requests and debt service. Bellamy said a 4% general wage increase plus a $500 fixed supplement for county employees was part of the proposal.
School officials and many residents urged the board to fully fund the York County School Division (YCSD). Superintendent Victor Shandor summarized the division—s funding posture and asked the board to bridge a shortfall created in part by state budget adjustments; he said a JLARC recommendation and subsequent state budgeting changes left YCSD with an enrollment-related gap of roughly the amount reduced by the governor during a veto session. "Remaining competitive during the largest national teacher shortage in history is essential not only in recruiting and retaining teachers," Shandor told the board.
More than two dozen residents and organized speakers addressed the board during the public-comment portion. Ashley Smith, president of the York County Council PTA, said, "York County Council PTA requests that the board support the full funding request of the York County School Division," citing the PTA—s volunteer and financial support for local schools. Teachers, retirees and parents described building maintenance needs, staff shortages, and the effect of long-term wage compression on retention.
Other residents urged caution about tax increases, citing recent sharp assessment increases and rising household costs. Multiple speakers asked the board to pursue alternatives such as different revenue sources or cuts elsewhere; some suggested targeting taxes on specific items (tobacco, boat tax) rather than broad real-estate increases.
Supervisors said they were continuing to weigh options and requested additional comparative data about neighboring localities— compensation and school-investment choices. Supervisor Thomas Shepherd asked staff to provide the board with how much neighboring school divisions have been increasing pay so the board can compare regional steps. The board set a May 6 date for a final vote on the budget and tax rates.
Ending: The board left the public hearings open for further discussion and additional work sessions; no final budget vote was taken at the April 15 meeting.
