City of Charleston City Council Budget Workshop 11/9/26

The City of Charleston City Council held a budget workshop on November 9, 2026, to review draft 2027 tourism, general, and enterprise fund budgets and amendments to the 2026 budgets. Tourism-related allocations included state accommodations tax funding for the Asher River Crossing bicycle and pedestrian project, Hazel Park improvements, Best Friend Museum HVAC repairs, and parking improvements; municipal accommodations tax funding for Braillebank Park, capital repairs at Central Fire Stations 2 and 3, and Maritime Center standpipe repairs; and hospitality funds for projects including the Low Battery extension, Lockwood knee wall, Richardson Park signage, and Fire Station 11 underground electrical utilities. The hospitality budget also includes existing contractual management agreements and contributions. Council discussed whether some fire-station work would involve design and initial contract awards, but no procurement award or spending vote was reported.

The draft budget funds $5.66 million of $28 million in requested new programs, including 19 of 95 requested positions. Of $6.1 million identified for employee compensation, approximately $3.7 million would fund a 2% cost-of-living adjustment, with the remainder supporting a phased compensation study. Council discussed a possible parking-rate increase as a way to support compensation, but no decision was made. Members also discussed exploring revenue options under South Carolina Act 236, including road-maintenance fees and a tourism management fee; staff will consult lobbyists and the Municipal Association, with further study contemplated for 2027. The draft budget was scheduled for delivery November 17, with first reading December 1 and further readings December 15. No formal contract awards or budget votes were identified; the city reported that its AAA and AA1 bond ratings were affirmed.