Former York County Council members Joe Cox and Steve McNeely debated last night in front of a crowd of about 100 at the York Recreation Center. 
The debate came just days before they face off in Tuesday’s Republican primary to replace departing District Three Councilman Eric Winstead.
Cox says he wants to let voters decide in a referendum whether they want to pay a higher gasoline tax to pay for road maintenance.
McNeely says he does not support a gas tax hike because York County residents are already paying a one-cent sales tax for the Pennies for Progress program.
A report from the county manager’s office shows that during their separate four-year tenures on the council, McNeely’s travel and training expenses were more than $13,921, while Cox’s were $1,228.
McNeely says his industry recruiting efforts brought 700 jobs into his district, a number that’s since grown to nearly 1000. Meanwhile, Cox says he kept his expenses down by using his cell phone.
Cox served on the York County Council from 2006 to 2010 before losing to Winstead. McNeely served from 2002 to 2006, losing to Cox in a GOP runoff.
