Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in York County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues with medium priority
Urban WiFi broadband expansion
The county will seek bids for installing urban Wi-Fi sites and poles, a step toward broader public internet coverage.
Seven Valleys bridge warning system
A vehicle strike on March 3 damaged the Seven Valleys bridge. Kinsley Construction will make the $74,000 repairs, but the driver's insurance covers the bill.
Farmland and natural lands preservation
The county released $155,000 total to preserve two farms — a fully wooded 106-acre property on the Conewago Creek and 97 acres of prime farmland near East Berlin — permanently protecting them from development.
Souls to the Polls free rides
On Election Day, November 3, Rabbitt Transit will give free rides to polling places along its fixed routes, thanks to a partnership between Shiloh Baptist Church, Rabbitt Transit and the York County Community Foundation.
National Preparedness Month and county emergency readiness
Emergency Management highlighted the county's 70-plus CERT volunteers, a full-scale shelter exercise, and the volunteer fire/EMS tax refund program — plus tips residents can use to build their own emergency kits.
Blighted property demolition at 745-747 West Mason Avenue
A new $250 fee on certain foreclosure-related property sales will fund demolition and rehab of blighted properties starting April 21, 2026.
Public Safety / Police Patrols
York officials are adding police patrols on Jackson Street after a large melee broke out there. If you live, work, or hang out in that part of the city, expect more police visibility.
Hope Fest community events
Shiloh Baptist Church and partners are hosting a week of free community events — a cookout, outdoor movie, free bus passes, and youth basketball camp — starting September 20.
Probation data management system
The county is spending up to $200,000 with Collective Intelligence to build an integrated data system for Probation Services — modernizing how case records are managed.
Homeland security grant for counter-terrorism task force
The county locked in a $1.44 million state homeland security grant supporting the South-Central Counter Terrorism Task Force through August 2028.
Artificial intelligence policy for county government
The county adopted its first formal AI policy (OPI.19), setting rules for how county employees and departments may use artificial intelligence tools.
Retirement Fund performance and near-full funding
The county pension fund ended Q1 at $624 million and returned 14% in 2025, outperforming 85% of similar plans nationally. The adviser expects the county is close to fully funded — good news for taxpayers who backfill any shortfall.
Farmland and open space preservation
The county is preserving over 3,100 acres a year — well past its 2,500-acre benchmark — but nobody has calculated the total acreage goal. President Wheeler wants a number so the county can celebrate when it gets there.
Whole Home Repairs funding increase
The county bumped its Whole Home Repairs program up to $3,396,945.50 total, with $2,513,397.72 in homeowner grants to be spent by the end of 2026. That's money helping county homeowners fix their homes.
Senior services funding for six providers
The county proclaimed May as Older Americans Month and committed to the second five-year cycle of Age Friendly York County, run by the Community Foundation and Planning Commission. With 126,000 residents over 60, the plan targets housing, transportation, dementia awareness, and social inclusion — improvements designed to work for an 8-year-old and an 80-year-old alike.
District Attorney anti-gang and records technology
The DA's office secured a $514,885 federal grant for its SAUSA prosecutor and gang work, plus new forensic and records software. The board also submitted a roughly $53.8 million DOJ grant application.
Energy savings contract for county facilities
The biggest expense approved: $4.09 million for ESCO Addendum 7 with McClure Company, an energy-savings upgrade for county buildings.
Domestic Violence Compliance Court funding
The county is applying for a $250,000 state grant to keep the Domestic Violence Compliance Court running through 2028.
Open Space and Land Preservation grant applications open
The county is preserving over 3,100 acres a year — well past its 2,500-acre benchmark — but nobody has calculated the total acreage goal. President Wheeler wants a number so the county can celebrate when it gets there.
Hanover Trolley Trail maintenance shift
The Rail Trail Authority handed over the Hanover Trolley Trail land to the county, which will fold it into the county park system. Vice President Burford thanked the authority's longtime members and noted work on the trail is still ongoing. A separate maintenance agreement with four nearby municipalities was also approved.
Foster care school transportation agreements
A bundle of agreements supports kids in the county's child welfare system — adoption and custodianship subsidies, updated residential and foster care rates with providers, and a transportation deal with Dallastown schools so foster kids can stay in their home schools.
2026 Federal Housing and Community Development Plan
The board ratified the county's 2026 Annual Action Plan for CDBG, HOME, and ESG federal grants, which fund housing and community development work.
Whole Home Repairs workforce training grant
A $120,000 grant agreement with York County School of Technology funds construction trades training and student materials through the end of 2026.
York County Rail Trail Bridge 37.94 replacement funding
The county adopted a resolution to apply for state Multimodal Transportation Fund money to replace the rail trail bridge in New Freedom Borough.
Resolution of tied primary election contests
Dozens of Democratic committee races across York County townships ended in ties after the 2026 primary, and state law requires a random draw to break them. The board set the rule — highest number drawn wins — and pulled the lots on the spot.
Prehospital blood transfusion grant pilot
A $916,157 federal grant application, submitted with WellSpan Health, would fund a pilot program putting blood transfusions into prehospital emergency care. Ratified after the fact because the grant deadline came before the meeting.