The City of Charleston Finance Committee on Oct. 6 approved Resolution 25-98 to enter an agreement with Dynamic Graphics to administer a pilot online uniform voucher program for city employees.

Human resources and finance staff presented the pilot as an administrative replacement for paper vouchers that had required many manual reimbursements. William Church, director of Human Resources (referenced by staff), and city staff said 239 employees qualify for a $350 clothing voucher and 13 employees qualify for a $200 voucher. The vendor's online portal will allow employees to place orders; the city will pay up to the voucher amount and employees may pay any overage.

Staff said Dynamic Graphics provides three price points for selected items so employees can choose lower-, mid- and higher-priced brands (for example, Carhartt as a higher option). The vendor also offers customization and a return policy for non-custom items; staff obtained sample items and return information before recommending a pilot purchase order for the remainder of the calendar year so vouchers will be taxable in the correct year.

Committee members asked whether the portal would lock employees to a single vendor and how sizing and fitting would be handled; staff responded that Dynamic Graphics had sample items and that the pilot would reveal practical issues. Boot vouchers remain unchanged at $150 and are handled separately through existing vendors.

Decision: the committee moved and approved Resolution 25-98 by voice vote; the ayes were declared to have adopted the resolution.

Why it matters: the pilot is intended to reduce administrative burden, maintain customization for city identification, and ensure voucher spending is completed within the taxable year.