York County put the ball in Lake Wylie’s court. Volleyed back, a new park awaits.

It was one of the shorter York County Council meetings in recent memory, but it started the ball rolling for the much anticipated Lake Wylie Sportsplex.

Council voted Nov. 21 to declare and approve the Lake Wylie Parks and Recreation Tax District. Voters approved the special tax district 7,062 to 5,263 on Nov. 8 to create a new special tax district.

The vote is first of three needed to form the new tax district. It will be mid-January before a new tax board is appointed to determine spending.

“The soonest the finance and operations committee can meet to start approving members for that board is in the second week of January,” Councilman Michael Johnson said.

Any resident in the district may apply to serve on the five-person board. Applications will be posted at yorkcountygov.com.

The county finance and operations committee recommends applicants to the full Council for approval, however, the district Council member usually has sway in appointments. Dist. 2 council-elect Allison Love starts the first week of January.

Residents pushing for the new tax did it as a funding mechanism for a new sports complex on Crowders Creek. The county owns two parcels of almost 70 acres combined. About a decade ago, the land was eyed for a future park by Councilman Tom Smith. Smith brokered much of the land-use agreement and is part of the Lake Wylie Sportsplex Committee.

Now Council needs not only to finalize the tax district and its board, but to consider how its property along Crowders Creek fits into the plan.

“My committee will be taking up some discussion about the property they’re looking to use for the sports complex,” said Councilman William “Bump” Roddey, who serves on the county health and environmental protection committee.

It’s likely Roddey’s committee will continue the process into the new year.

“Technically he doesn’t have to (start right away),” Johnson said. “He has until February.”

Council spent 30 minutes working through its agenda Monday, a fraction compared to most meetings. Council also accepted the countywide vote approval creating four-year terms for its members. Traditionally, all Council seats have been two-year terms.

County voters decided on the change in one of the closest votes on election night, with 52,011 in favor and 50,733 against the extensions.

Love will come in to a four-year term, along with three other members. The remaining three elected Nov. 8 will have two-year terms, which will convert to four years at the next election to stagger terms.

This story was originally published November 25, 2016 at 2:52 PM with the headline "York County put the ball in Lake Wylie’s court. Volleyed back, a new park awaits.."