# City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee 9/16/26

The City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee convened on September 16, 2026, to review budget requests primarily from the Fire Department and the Planning and Preservation Department. The Fire Department presented eight program requests totaling approximately $2.8 million, including funding for firefighter health and wellness initiatives, emergency management staffing and equipment, fire marshal positions, a potential SAFER grant for firefighter staffing, a mobile training program, administrative support roles, and special operations compensation and staffing. The Planning and Preservation Department requested budget allocations for upgrading staff positions, adding an office manager, establishing an archaeological program with a future staff archaeologist, and funding multi-year historic architectural surveys. They also proposed a new hosting service for the zoning ordinance with associated fee amendments to offset costs. Additionally, the Planning, Permitting, and Engineering section requested new positions including an assistant manager for the permit center, an urban designer for the civic design center, and a city vehicle for the section chief. The committee did not record any questions or votes during the session but acknowledged the thorough presentations and detailed budget requests aimed at increasing capacity, efficiency, and service quality across departments.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 16, 2026

### Sources
- [City of Charleston Ad Hoc Budget Committee 9/16/26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i84rbTueTQ4) - City of Charleston SC