York County commissioners adopt resolution allowing partial tax payments for certain jointly owned parcels

York County commissioners on Feb. 17 adopted a resolution that allows some property owners to make partial, escrowed payments toward property taxes for certain jointly owned (undivided) parcels.

The board’s chair read the resolution language that requires payments to be held in an escrow account “until accumulated amounts are sufficient to pay at least one half of the taxes currently due on the property.” The resolution states: “Interest will be charged at a rate of 14% on the full amount if the amount in the escrow is not sufficient to pay at least one half of the taxes that are due.”

Board members and staff said the wording was revised after feedback; Megan and Mary (staff) and others reviewed phrasing and Gary reviewed the draft prior to the meeting. Commissioners emphasized the program applies only to undivided parcels with joint owners and is not a general savings account for every parcel in York County.

A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution; a second was given and the motion passed by roll call. Commissioners voting yes included Bowman, Burgess, Robertson, Obermeyer and Gross. The board did not record any 'no' votes on the motion during the roll call recorded in the meeting.

Why it matters: The resolution creates a limited pathway for owners of jointly held (undivided) parcels to make incremental payments instead of a single lump sum, but the 14% interest provision and the escrow threshold mean taxpayers should weigh the cost and conditions before enrolling.

The board did not specify an implementation date in the discussion; staff indicated the text had been placed in Spark for review and that further procedural steps would follow. The item concluded with formal adoption and the board moved to other agenda items.