York County and sheriff sue city of Rock Hill, Tega Cay over money to detain inmates

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — York County and its sheriff, Kevin Tolson, are taking legal action against the cities of Rock Hill and Tega Cay over money to detain inmates at the York County Detention Center, according to a release from the county.

The release said the two cities are not meeting their obligation to York County to pay for jail detention services that the sheriff’s office provides.

According to the county, detention services have been provided for many years under an agreement formed between the cities, county and sheriff’s office.

Stipulated in that arrangement is that the cities reimburse the county and sheriff’s office for the cost of holding the cities’ inmates. The county said the practice reduces costs for most cities compared to what it would cost to build and maintain a detention facility.

Last year, county officials say the cities of Rock Hill and Tega Cay decline to pay for the services while continuing to send detained people to the York County facility.

According to the county, the cities have more recently refused to agree with the county and sheriff on an agreement that would guide the services. An action that is required by law.

County officials and the sheriff say they worked for more than six months on the negotiations that were approved by the cities of Clover, Fort Mill and York. But Rock Hill and Tega Cay refused.

The county said it will now turn to the court system to determine if Rock Hill and Tega Cay are required to enter into the governing agreement they are disputing.

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