Rock Hill City Council Approves $313 Million Budget with Increases to Trash and Sewer Fees

At its regular meeting on June 23, 2025, the Rock Hill City Council unanimously approved a $313 million budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, enacting a series of changes to service fees while maintaining steady property tax and electric rates. The budget addresses rising operational and infrastructure costs, particularly for solid waste and wastewater services, and includes a combination of new full-time positions and the elimination of some part-time roles.

Key Budget Changes

Residents will see several changes to their utility bills starting in the new fiscal year. Monthly trash removal fees will rise by $5, while typical residential wastewater bills will increase by 8%, or about $4.18. Sanitation fees will go up by 3%, adding approximately 63 cents per month. These changes are tied to the continued expansion of the city’s wastewater treatment facility and increased costs associated with solid waste management, including limited capacity at the York County landfill.

While the budget introduces these targeted fee increases, it does not include any hikes to property taxes, electric rates, water bills, or stormwater charges. Some city service fees—such as those for cemetery services and inspections—will see minor adjustments as part of the updated fee schedule.

Staffing Adjustments

The approved budget includes the creation of 10 new full-time positions to support city operations. At the same time, five part-time positions will be eliminated. City officials cited operational needs and efficiency goals as the reason for the staffing adjustments.

Additional Council Actions

In addition to the budget, the council approved several related ordinances and initiatives as part of a broader consent agenda. These included:

• Updates to the city’s fee schedule for sewer, solid waste, electric service, and building inspections.
• A $12.25 million lease-purchase agreement 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 Streets to the Housing Development Corporation of Rock Hill.

Planning and Development Decisions

The council also approved a series of annexations and rezonings aimed at supporting industrial growth. This included the annexation of over 42 acres on Lazy Hawk Road and additional parcels on Linkwood Road and McDow Drive, all rezoned for industrial use.

First readings were passed to:

• Certify the Guardian Building on East Main Street as an abandoned site under the Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act.
• Allow partial abandonment of utility easements to support redevelopment on John Ross Parkway.

Infrastructure Investments

Council adopted three resolutions to apply for more than $13 million in State Revolving Fund loans to support water and sewer infrastructure projects on Charlotte Avenue and at the Standard Mill site.

• Charlotte Avenue sewer rehabilitation ($5.1 million).

• Charlotte Avenue water line upgrade ($5.9 million).

• Standard Mill gravity sewer replacement ($2.7 million).

Other Business

The council voted to defer action on condemnation proceedings for property on Mount Holly Road, approved fiscal year-end financial authorizations, and canceled all council meetings for July 2025 due to a lack of anticipated business. Winners of the city’s SmartSwitch and CustomerConnect programs were also announced.

Despite the budget’s financial impact on residents through increased service fees, no public comments were made during the hearing, indicating limited community feedback on the new fiscal plan.