A proposed fiscal year 2027 budget for the York County Council would more than double the body’s salary and benefits expenditures, according to county budget documents, raising questions about how much individual council members stand to gain from the increase.
The FY27 recommended budget projects $509,747 in salaries and benefits for the County Council, up from $237,962 in the FY26 projected budget. That represents a 114.21 percent increase over the prior year’s projection and marks a dramatic shift in how the council’s budget is allocated. Under the proposed spending plan, salaries and benefits would consume 71.32 percent of the council’s total $714,709 budget.
A Sharp Turn After Years of Gradual Growth
The proposed increase stands in stark contrast to the council’s salary and benefits trajectory over the previous three fiscal years. Actual expenditures grew modestly from $209,250 in FY23 to $219,894 in FY24 and $230,206 in FY25, reflecting incremental annual increases of roughly 5 percent or less. The FY26 projected budget of $237,962 continued that pattern.
The FY27 recommendation represents a departure from that trend, adding more than $271,000 to the salaries and benefits line in a single budget cycle.
Total council expenditures would reach $714,709 in FY27 under the proposal, a 61.37 percent increase over the FY26 projected budget of $442,896. Operating expenses are proposed at $204,962, up 3.92 percent from the prior year. No capital expenditure is included in the FY27 recommendation after $7,704 was projected for FY26.
Current Pay and the FOIA Request
As of 2025, York County Council members received annual compensation of $21,975.30, while the council chair received $25,234.08. It is not yet clear how much of the proposed salaries and benefits increase would flow directly to council member compensation versus other personnel costs covered under that budget line.
The Tega Cay Sun has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to York County seeking a full breakdown of the proposed salary and benefits increase, including any proposed pay adjustments for individual council members. The publication will update this story as records are received and reviewed.
Source: York County FY27 Proposed Budget, County Council Expenditures summary.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
