Charleston council adopts $113.6 million budget after rejecting amendment to boost police milestone raises

The Charleston City Council voted to adopt a $113,629,000 municipal budget for fiscal year 2026–27 after defeating an amendment that would have reallocated $32,000 from overtime to police salaries to increase milestone raises.

Council member Jenkins, who presented the finance committee's report, said the budget would take effect July 1, 2026, and that the document balances projected revenues and expenditures. "By law we are required to balance it," Jenkins said while summarizing committee review.

Councilwoman Snodgrass offered an amendment to move $32,000 from the overtime line to police salaries to raise milestone increases to $0.75 across the board, arguing the change would address morale and perceived inequities between legacy and newer officers. "I'm asking for this amendment to make the raise equitable in their eyes," Snodgrass said. After procedural motions and a roll-call, the amendment failed by a 17-to-9 vote.

Following the failed amendment, the council returned to the main motion and adopted Resolution 26-033 to approve the municipal budget.

Votes at a glance (key adopted items from the same meeting):
- Resolution 26-033: Municipal budget for FY 2026–27, $113,629,000 ' Adopted (roll call).
- Bill 8068: Amended 15-minute parking zone on Hunters Ridge Road (location adjustment) ' Passed (voice vote; ayes declared majority).
- Resolution 26-030: Lease authorizing secured placement of compressed-gas tanks for brewery operations with JM Properties/Ursa's Brew Works ' Adopted (voice vote).
- Resolution 26-031: Lease with Greater Charleston Theater Company for the movie theater at 600 Washington Street East (one-year term with two one-year renewals; tenant to pay utilities and 50' per ticket) ' Adopted (voice vote).
- Resolution 26-032: Standby letter of credit in favor of Incova for $705,000 (workers' compensation collateral) ' Adopted.
- Resolution 26-034: Purchase 27 in-car camera systems from Motorola Solutions, $147,227.76 ' Adopted.
- Resolution 26-035: Purchase one Ford F-150 long-bed pickup for Charleston Fire Department, $45,200 ' Adopted.
- Resolution 26-036: Purchase 12 sets of turnout gear from Whitmer Public Safety, $43,903 ' Adopted.
- Resolution 26-037: Purchase one Ford F-250 regular cab from Thornhill Ford, $43,603 (funded by the Richard Ayer Fund) ' Adopted.
- Bill 8069: Add a paramedic intercept fee of $300 to ambulance service charges when CFD paramedics provide advanced life support on another agency's ambulance ' Passed.

Why it matters: The adopted budget sets municipal priorities for the coming year, funding personnel, public safety equipment and regular vehicle and equipment replacements. The defeated amendment highlighted continuing council attention to police recruitment, retention and morale; the narrow but decisive vote means the administration's original budget remains intact.

What comes next: The budget takes effect July 1, 2026. Several routine procurement contracts and leases proceed to implementation as authorized; council scheduled a special levy meeting for April 21 at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned until April 6 at 7 p.m.