News Summary
The Rock Hill City Council has unanimously approved a $313 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget includes fee increases for trash removal and sewage services to address rising operational costs. Residents will see their trash bills rise by $5 per month and wastewater bills by 8%. Notably, property taxes and electric rates will remain unchanged. The budget also introduces job creation while eliminating some part-time positions. Community engagement appears limited as no public comments were made during the budget’s hearing.
Rock Hill City Council Approves $313 Million Budget with New Fee Increases
Rock Hill City Council has unanimously approved a budget of $313 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a meeting on June 23, 2025. This new budget includes significant increases in trash removal and sewage fees for residents, as the city addresses rising operational costs.
Residents can expect to see their trash removal bills increase by an average of $5 per month. Additionally, typical residential wastewater bills will rise by 8%, translating to an extra $4.18 each month. Sanitation fees will also go up by 3%, adding approximately 63 cents to monthly bills. These increases are primarily driven by the ongoing expansion of the wastewater treatment center and the rising costs associated with trash removal, notably due to limited capacity at the York County landfill.
Budget Details
While the budget introduces higher fees for waste management services, it does not include any increases in property taxes, electric rates, water bills, or stormwater charges. Certain city fees, however, will see rate increases, affecting operations such as cemetery services and city inspections.
The newly approved budget also includes provisions for job creation, with 10 new full-time positions being introduced. Conversely, the budget will eliminate five part-time positions, indicating adjustments in city staffing based on operational needs.
Public Engagement and Future Meetings
During the public hearing held on May 27, no public comments were received either in favor of or against the budget, suggesting a lack of engagement from residents regarding these financial changes. Following this approval, the City Council has announced the cancellation of its regular meeting in July and will reconvene on August 11, 2025.
Context and Implications
The increase in fees for trash and sewage services reflects larger trends affecting municipalities in South Carolina, where cities face growing expenses related to waste management and environmental regulations. With the York County landfill nearing capacity, local governments are increasingly compelled to invest in infrastructure improvements, such as the expansion of wastewater treatment facilities.
The Rock Hill budget aims to balance operational necessities against economic realities for its residents, ensuring that essential services continue while managing costs effectively. As the city moves forward, the adjustments in service fees seek to not only support ongoing projects but also to address the future needs of the community.
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Additional Resources
- WCNC: Rock Hill Storm Damage Cleanup
- Google Search: Rock Hill storm damage
- WJCL: South Carolina Budget Lawmaker Raise
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina budget
- Post and Courier: SC Legislators’ Spending
- Google News: SC legislators spending
- IMDb: Relevant Movie
- Wikipedia: Infrastructure
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
