On August 12, 2025, the York County Council held a workshop to discuss two key items: the reassessment overview and a capital projects update. The council heard from staff on the county’s reassessment efforts, which are focused on maintaining revenue neutrality by rolling back the millage rate. The county is taking a more aggressive approach than other municipalities, with a planned rollback of 3.7 mills, which equates to a 6.5% reduction. There was also a discussion about the possibility of earmarking any potential excess revenue for road infrastructure. The second agenda item focused on updates for various capital projects, including facilities and parks. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the animal shelter project, which is being “reset” to ensure a cost-effective and long-term solution.
Reassessment Overview
The workshop began with a presentation on the county’s reassessment efforts. The presentation highlighted the following key points:
- Millage Rollback: The county is planning a 3.7 mill rollback, which corresponds to a 6.5% reduction. This is a more aggressive rollback than other entities in the county, which are seeing rollbacks between 2% and 4.5%.
- Revenue Neutrality: The primary goal of the millage rollback is to remain revenue neutral following the reassessment. While not an exact science, the county aims to avoid profiting from the reassessment, which has been a longstanding practice.
- Unincorporated Area: For the first time ever, the county is rolling back the millage in unincorporated areas. This rollback is being done cautiously to avoid negatively impacting the two entities funded by these mills: rural fire and convenience centers.
- Roads Infrastructure: Council members discussed the possibility of earmarking any potential excess revenue from the reassessment to fund roads infrastructure. This is a priority due to the need for matching funds for certain South Carolina Infrastructure Bank (SIB) projects.
- Public Information: Staff commended the auditor’s office for proactively sending out preliminary information to municipalities, which has been helpful in their own planning processes.
Capital Projects Update
The second part of the workshop was a detailed update on various capital projects across the county, presented in a tabular format.
Key Projects
- Corners Facility: The construction bid of $4.786 million has been approved, but construction has not yet begun as the county is waiting for permits from the City of Rock Hill.
- Sheriff’s District 3 Office: The 11,000-square-foot renovation is approximately 40% complete and is on schedule and within budget.
- Moss Justice Center: The project, which includes a new booking and medical facility, has an approved final design. Final design is projected to take about one year, with construction scheduled from fall 2026 to late 2028.
- Catawba Bend Preserve (Phase 1): The entrance road, gatehouse, and trailhead are 75% complete. The project is scheduled to open in October of this year, but the recent heavy rain has created some scheduling concerns that staff are working to mitigate.
- Catawba Bend Preserve (Amenities):
- A 1.5-mile multi-use greenway and restoration of three dams are scheduled to begin in August of this year and will be a two-year process.
- A new gravel parking lot and mountain bike trails are in the bid negotiation phase, with construction slated for September 2025 and completion in February 2026. The project is a design-build with Nature Trails North Carolina.
- An 18-hole and 9-hole disc golf course is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in July 2026. This project, along with the greenway, received state grant funding.
- Field Day Park: The expansion and upgrades, which include new pickleball courts and batting cages, are nearing completion this fall. This project received a $400,000 grant.
- Worth Mountain Park: An internal team is scoping a nature trail, with a budget of $750,000.
- Woodend Park: The county has approved $500,000 for improvements, including demolition, a gravel parking lot, and a new nature trail.
Animal Shelter Discussion
A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to the animal shelter project.
- Project Reset: Staff and council members agreed to “hit the reset button” on the project. They will hire an owner’s representative to help find the most cost-effective and suitable location for the new facility, considering factors like topography and access to utilities.
- Budget & Location: The goal is to get the project bid back to the original $16 million budget. The owner’s representative will help ensure the building is built to last 20 years, similar to the current facility. A key part of this process will be searching for the best site across the county, not just one location.
- No-Kill Policy: Council members had a candid discussion about the animal shelter’s operational policy. While they clarified that the county is not a “no-kill” shelter, the growth of the county and the shelter population necessitates a proactive approach. Council members advocated for a re-evaluation of policies to address animal overpopulation at the source.
- Prevention and Outreach: There was a strong consensus that the county should focus on preventative measures, such as free spay and neuter programs and assisting local rescue groups. These efforts could help manage the animal population and reduce the intake at the shelter, ultimately impacting the required size and cost of the new facility. The Public Works Committee will be reviewing these proposals.
Project Management Process Improvement
The Director of Public Works, Tom Couch, introduced a new initiative to improve how the county manages capital projects.
- Project Delivery Culture: The new approach is based on the Project Management Institute (PMI) principles, which emphasize a project delivery culture. This includes having committed stakeholders, thorough project scoping, and continuous monitoring.
- Project Charter: For every new project, a project charter will be created to define its purpose, objectives, and deliverables. This will help to prevent common issues like cost overruns and delays.
- New Software: The IT department is leading an exploration into new project management software. The goal is to find a solution that provides real-time integration of costs, schedules, and risks, as well as a portfolio-level view of all projects.
- Performance Metrics: The county is also working to implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate project performance before, during, and after completion.
The workshop concluded with a brief mention of District 4 park and the desire to refer it to the committee for the next phase of its development.
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