Rock Hill’s new budget will bring water, sanitation fee increases next week
The Rock Hill City Council’s budget approval this week will bring some service fee increases.
The council’s unanimous approval of the $313 million budget during Mondays meeting included a property tax decrease from a millage of 96.5 to 94.7. There’s also an 8% and 3% rise in waste water and sanitation fees, respectively, over two years. The higher fees will mean a $4.81 increase next week in homeowners’ monthly bills, according to the council’s budget presentation on May 27.
The increase in wastewater will fund expansions of the wastewater treatment plant. Simultaneously, the sanitation fees will cover increases in York County landfill tipping fees, according to Rock Hill’s spokesperson Katie Quinn.
The $313 million budget otherwise contains 14 different fund groups for the city, including transit fund, hospitality tax, general fund, state accommodation tax, downtown/textile TIF fund and more.
Here is what you need to know about rate increases after this week’s City Council meeting.
Budget breakdown
City Manager David B. Vehaun spoke about reasons for the rate changes during the May 27 meeting.
“We compare ourselves with 28 other cities in the state, county and region just to see how our rates compare,” Vehaun said. “In Rock Hill, our rates are amongst the lowest you will find in the Carolinas, and I think among the lowest you will find in the nation.”
According to the council meeting presentation, for the 2026 fiscal year, which starts next week rates will be as follows:
Electric: no rate change
Water: no rate change
Waste water: $4.18 increase
Residential sanitation: $0.63 increase
Storm water: no rate change
Property tax: no rate change
For the 2027 fiscal year, which starts July 1, 2026, rates will be as follows:
Electric: no rate change
Water: no rate change
Waste water: $4.51 increase
Residential sanitation: no increase
Storm water: no rate change
Property tax: no rate change
Budget-related actions
The council also approved several initiatives as part of its broader agenda.
Updates to the city’s fee schedule for sewer, solid waste, electric service and building inspections.
A $12.5 million lease purchase for city equipment
Re-certification of the Baxter Mill site under the South Carolina Textile Communities Revitalization Act
Approval to sell property on Allen and Haynes Street to the Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill
Staff adjustments
During the budget presentation in May, Vehaun said there will be 10 new full-time positions and a reduction of five part-time positions.
In the 2025 budget year, there were 996 full-time staff positions. And for 2026 and 2027, there will be 1,006 approved full-time positions. On the other hand, part-time staff positions have decreased, with 116 in 2025, and for 2026 and 2027, there will be 111.
The full-time position increase is related to the new sports and event center, the Bleachery Field House, Vehaun said.
