York Co. Democrats latest group to endorse $90M bond referendum

One of York County’s most conservative political groups and the county’s Democratic Party organization have found something they agree on: they both say the local government should borrow close to $90 million to make major repairs and start construction of public facilities to meet the demands of a growing population.

The executive board of the York County Democratic Party voted this week to support a bond referendum which will be up to voters to decide on Nov. 3. Earlier this month, leaders of the GPS Conservatives for Action political action committee based in York County said they approve of the borrowing plan.

If voters approve, York County would need to raise taxes to pay back the debt incurred for several major capital projects. The increase on an average $100,000 home would be $2.30 monthly.

The last major York County referendum – a $75 million borrowing proposal in 2006 – failed. This year’s effort has so far been met with little public opposition.

York County Democratic Party Chair Amy Hayes says her group had a long discussion about the county government’s plan to borrow money. Leaders, she said, need to be careful about spending tax dollars.

But, she cited instances of security gaps in courts, inadequate government facilities where public services are housed, and cramped working quarters for county employees as some reasons the bond referendum should pass.

“In the end, county facilities need to meet minimum standards. For example, the prisoners (who) sort our recycling don’t have a proper restroom,” Hayes said in a news statement.

The proposed borrowing targets primarily York County’s criminal justice facilities, where officials have said government workers – including prosecutors who try criminal cases and sheriff’s deputies – are sharing office space and there’s not enough room to add additional staff.

Major projects covered by the referendum are:

▪ A new estimated $20.7 million county Family Court building in Rock Hill

▪ Millions of dollars of renovations to government offices located on Heckle Boulevard in Rock Hill, and courtroom and sheriff’s office located in York

▪ A new recycling center and other public works facility upgrades totaling more than $22 million

▪ Nearly $2.7 million to improve existing magistrate court offices in Fort Mill and Clover

County Manager Bill Shanahan says York County would pay the bond referendum debt back over a 15-year period. Construction schedules and varying interest rates, he said, would dictate whether the county borrows the $90 million at once or over time.

This story was originally published October 23, 2015 at 1:52 PM with the headline "York Co. Democrats latest group to endorse $90M bond referendum."