Charleston finance committee approves $113 million budget, theater lease and equipment purchases; adds $300 paramedic-intercept fee

Charleston's Finance Committee on March 16 approved the city's $113 million fiscal 2026-27 budget and a package of resolutions that included a lease to reopen the downtown movie theater, purchases for public safety vehicles and equipment, and a new $300 paramedic-intercept fee.

The committee voted unanimously to adopt the municipal budget, which the administration described as balanced and roughly $100,000 larger than the current year. Presenter Andy said the plan advances a $15 minimum starting wage for city employees and continues elevated paving and equipment investments.

The panel also approved a one-year lease (with two optional one-year renewals) with the Greater Charleston Theater Company to operate the facility at 600 Washington Street East. According to staff, the tenant will pay all utilities and remit $0.50 to the city for each ticket sold; the city retains the right to audit sales records.

Other approved measures included a $705,000 standby letter of credit in favor of Incova (with a 0.5% fee plus a $400 documentation charge totaling $3,925), purchase orders for fleet and safety equipment (including 27 in-car camera systems funded primarily by a State of West Virginia Homeland Security grant), and replacement vehicles and turnout gear for the Fire Department.

On a policy change, the committee adopted Bill 80-69 to add a definition of "paramedic intercept" to the municipal code and set a $300 intercept fee to be charged when Charleston Fire Department paramedics provide advanced life support aboard a non-CFD ambulance. Staff said the fee can be billed to patients or collected via mutual-aid agreements; an estimate of total revenue from the fee was not provided.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 26-30 (JM Properties encroachment lease for brewery tanks): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-31 (lease with Greater Charleston Theater Company): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-32 (WesBanco standby letter of credit for Incova): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-33 (FY 2026-27 municipal budget): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-34 (27 in-car camera systems for police; $147,227.16 total): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-35 (Ford F-150 for Fire Department; $45,200): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-36 (12 sets of turnout gear; $43,903): approved by voice vote.
- Resolution 26-37 (Ford F-250 for Public Grounds): approved by voice vote.
- Bill 80-69 (paramedic-intercept fee, $300): adopted by voice vote.

The committee took no recorded roll-call votes in the transcript; decisions were announced by voice as adopted. The meeting adjourned following brief closing remarks thanking staff for budget preparation.