Charleston council adopts HUD annual action plan, public-safety grant, concert services and convention-center budget

Charleston City Council voted to adopt four finance- and contract-related measures during its May session, approving the annual HUD action plan, a $115,000 subaward for the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network team, a vendor agreement for Live on the Levy concert production, and the convention center's proposed budget for FY2026–27.

Council member Jenkins, reporting for the finance committee, described Resolution 26-050 as "the year 2 of our 5 year consolidated plan," explaining it governs the Community Development Block Grant funds the city distributes to local organizations. The finance committee had recommended approval. During the roll call the council recorded one abstention: Councilwoman Farr stated she would abstain because of a conflict; the resolution was then declared adopted.

The council also approved Resolution 26-051, a subaward agreement with Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area to provide $115,000 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to MDENT to buy evidence and fund overtime for five full-time officers. Jenkins noted the city signs this annual agreement to support MDENT operations.

On entertainment contracting, the council adopted Resolution 26-052 to enter an agreement with Studio Mode Productions for sound, lighting and audio services for the 2026 Live on the Levy concert series at $3,504.75 per event (the vendor price exceeds the city's $25,000 threshold when multiplied across the anticipated number of shows). Jenkins said anticipated increases in event costs explain the council review.

Finally, Resolution 26-053, approving the proposed FY2026–27 Coliseum and Convention Center budget, was adopted after committee review. Jenkins told council the city subsidy for the coming fiscal year is "only looking to be" about $670,000, a reduction from the current year, and that the Coliseum and Convention Center board had approved the budget.

The council also received and filed the city payroll variance analysis for April 2026.

What happens next: The adopted resolutions authorize administrative steps—signing agreements and submitting the HUD annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—and implementation steps will be handled by the mayor's office and relevant departments as specified in each agreement.