Summary of the York County Council Finance & Operations Committee Meeting, November 21, 2024

Meeting Overview: The York County Council Finance & Operations Committee convened on November 21, 2024, at 5:15 PM to address various agenda items, including appointments to boards and commissions, allocation of district funds, and a discussion on a proposed local vendor preference policy.

Key Discussions and Actions:

1. Appointments to Boards and Commissions:
   • The committee deliberated on filling vacancies across several boards, including:
     • Culture and Heritage Commission: Dorothy Johnson was appointed.
     • Board of Assessment Appeals, Disabilities and Special Needs Board, Lake Wylie Parks and Recreation District, Bethel Fire Tax Board: Several appointments were deferred to January, causing disagreements among committee members over the timing and fairness of decisions, particularly concerning transitioning council members.
   • Concerns were raised about delays in filling vacancies, the long-standing open positions, and the implications of deferring appointments for critical boards like Disabilities and Special Needs, which faces quorum challenges.
2. Allocation of District Funds:
   • The committee approved multiple funding allocations, including:
     • District 2:
       • Habitat for Humanity ($2,000)
       • Greater Things Ministry ($1,000)
       • Bethel Volunteer Fire Department ($3,300)
       • America’s Boating Club ($1,700)
       • River Hill EMS ($3,500)
       • River Hills Lions Club ($900)
       • Tips and Tails Rescue ($800)
     • District 3:
       • Newport Volunteer Fire Department ($2,500)
       • Men’s Club of York County ($2,500)
     • District 5:
       • Clemson University 4-H Program ($5,000)
3. Local Vendor Preference Policy Discussion:
   • The committee explored the potential adoption of a local vendor preference policy, which would prioritize local businesses for county contracts. Key points included:
     • Advantages:
       • Stimulates the local economy and supports community businesses.
       • May attract and retain local businesses, bolstering the tax base.
     • Challenges:
       • Increased costs for taxpayers due to reduced competition.
       • Difficulty in defining “local” vendors, especially with cross-border businesses.
       • Potential for reciprocal preference policies affecting York County businesses in neighboring areas.
   • The committee reviewed practices from other counties, noting that while some have implemented such policies, others (like Charleston County) discontinued them due to increased costs and reduced competition.
   • The discussion included strategies for defining local vendors (e.g., requiring a 12-month presence and local tax payments) and balancing fairness with economic benefits.
4. Operational Improvements:
   • The procurement department proposed improved outreach to inform local businesses about bid opportunities and advocated for tools to analyze spending patterns, which would enhance vendor engagement.
5. Deferrals and Additional Matters:
   • Financial updates were deferred to the next meeting.
   • A recurring theme was the need to balance efficiency, equity, and fiscal responsibility across all council actions.

Key Outcomes and Next Steps:

• The committee deferred several appointments and actions to January 2025, emphasizing the importance of continuity in critical boards and planning further discussions on local vendor preferences.
• Staff will return with detailed options for implementing a vendor preference policy, including thresholds, criteria, and potential economic impacts.
• The next meeting will revisit deferred items and continue refining strategies to support local businesses.