No, York County Council isn’t getting a big raise. But utility rates are rising

What looks like a massive pay bump for York County Council members in next fiscal years’ budget isn’t. Instead, it’s money to handle legal issues.

York County Manager Josh Edwards released a recommended budget this month for the fiscal year that starts July 1. In it, the salary and benefits section under the County Council tab more than doubled and jumped by 114% from the current year, to nearly $715,000 next year.

Several social media posts racked up comments and shares questioning why the county would raise Council pay that much.

The budget states, though, that the increase has nothing to do with Council salaries. It’s for a new county attorney position that reports directly to Council, that was approved in March. The job is still posted for hire. A salary isn’t listed, but the new budget has a more than $270,000 increase for the job.

Still, some costs will go up for taxpayers in next year’s budget. Here’s a look at five more things to know:

Limited tax rate increases proposed

There’s no millage rate increase proposed next year for the general fund. There are two smaller rates that would go up to fund capital projects and fire protection.

A 1-mill increase for rural fire service is part of a $14.7 million budget, up 32.1% from the current year. Additional money is needed for personnel and capital costs as part of a long-term transition from a historically volunteer-run fire service to a countywide paid one.

The capital projects reserve fund rate would increase by 0.6 mills. That money would go to improve county roads and upgrade infrastructure like air conditioning, roofs and floors at county facilities. The $20 million reserve fund next year is up from $11 million today.

For comparison, the three-part general fund millage rage of 54.4 mills costs a taxpayer $217.60 for every $100,000 of home value.

All together, a York County taxpayer in a city or town would pay $275.20 for every $100,000 in home value or $2,064 for every $500,000 in commercial property. That’s a 0.9% increase. Residents in unincorporated areas $324.80 per $100,000 in home value or $2,436 per $500,000 of business value. That’s up 2%.

Properties in special tax districts could increase those amounts.

Utility rate increases planned

Water and sewer rates are expected to increase next year.

York County gets its water from the city of Rock Hill, then distributes it to other parts of the county. Increased funding is needed for higher operational costs and funding of future capital projects, according to the county.

The county proposes a 6% increase in its water rate. There’s also a $2.47 increase for the base charge customers pay for water.

The sewer rate would increase 10%. Its base charge would also go up by $1.47.

The overall $39.7 million county utilities budget next year is up 3.6% from this year.

New county job hires expected

Next year’s budget would allow for hiring of 22 full-time positions. Six fire services positions include four new firefighters. Three parks and recreation department positions include two park rangers. There are three sheriff's deputy positions, too.

The utilities, planning and IT departments all have two new positions. Other expected hires include an EMS director, recruitment specialist and contract administrator.

The new positions will cost $2.6 million.

The $126.9 million for compensation and benefits for all employees next year represents 66.2% of the total general fund budget. Included in the coming year is a 3.5% merit-based salary increase for all staff.

When will the York County budget be approved?

Council members received the budget recommendation, but they haven’t voted on it yet. Passing the budget will take three votes, with the first set for May 4.

There’s a workshop and public hearing on May 12 in York. It’s scheduled for 6 p.m. at the 6 S. Congress St. government center. A second vote is expected May 18, followed by the final decision on June 1. The new fiscal year starts July 1.

Several council members have pledged to keep taxes as low as possible, while planning for community growth. York County is just one entity that contributes to local tax bills. School districts get their share and for people who live in cities or towns, there’s a municipal tax rate.

Councilman William “Bump” Roddey points to the $907.20 that a homeowner would’ve paid for a $300,000 home in 2010 for the county portion, that by last year was up to $955.20. That small of an increase over so long a span, in a high-growth county, shows the county is committed to low taxes, Roddey said.

“It’s not increasing because York County’s increasing it,” he said of taxes.

So what does Council get paid?

County rules dictate that raises for York County Council members can be implemented every two years, in January. Council sets pay rates when new terms begin, following elections the previous November. The next scheduled pay review, and possible adjustment, comes in January.

Rules allow pay increases only in line with what overall county staff receives through annual adjustments.

The current annual salary for York County Council members is $21,975.