City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee 10/28/2026

The City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee reviewed draft 2027 and amended 2026 budgets on October 28, 2026. Tourism funds were projected at $53.91 million for 2027 across state accommodations, community accommodations, and hospitality taxes. Proposed allocations include the Ashley River crossing bicycle/pedestrian bridge, additional $300,000 for Hazel Parker, museum HVAC repairs, and Angel Oak improvements. State accommodations-tax funds must be used within two years; the committee was told the accommodations-tax committee would finalize grant awardees on November 12. The discussion also covered municipal accommodations-tax capital projects and hospitality-funded contractual and management agreements, including support for museums, the King Street BID, and the USA/USACE Battery extension at Adger Wharf. No contract awards or procurement votes were reported.

For the general and enterprise funds, staff identified a preliminary $4.5 million base-budget shortfall and said they were reviewing requests, salary savings, revenues, and possible use of reserves. Cost pressures and proposed operating expenses included IT licensing, network equipment and security-camera systems; parks janitorial, elevator and HVAC contracts; solid-waste collection; vehicle and fuel costs; and street-lighting costs. Staff also cited bond-related costs and a title-related inland flood study. The committee discussed a proposed $9.9 million in new programs, with about $2 million potentially covered by dedicated reserves, and a projected $976,000 increase in base revenue from specified fee and rate changes. A preliminary draft was expected for discussion the following week; no spending or procurement actions were approved at this meeting.