Finance committee adopts $113.5 million general fund municipal budget for 2025–26

The City of Charleston Finance Committee on March 17 adopted Resolution 25-27, approving the official municipal budget document for fiscal year 2025–26. Committee members approved the budget by voice vote after staff answered questions about federal funding exposure and specific line items.

City staff reported the general fund in the proposed municipal budget totals $113,500,000. "Our general fund budget is $113,500,000," staff said, and the committee chair referred members to a recent detailed presentation by the finance director, Andy Wood.

Committee member Miss Kearns asked whether any expected income in the budget is contingent on federal funding, citing concern about recent uncertainty around federal programs such as the Capital Connector. Andy Wood, finance director, responded that the operating budget has very little reliance on federal funds. "So for the operating budget of the city, there is very little reliance on federal funds," Wood said, and he explained the federal monies currently cited in the budget pay for project-based items and specific program elements — for example, part of operations of the CARES office and overtime for MDENT officers — rather than ongoing municipal operating costs.

Committee members also asked about a roughly $100,000 line item for the Charleston Alliance; staff said the allocation covers two components: operational funding to maintain the alliance and a recruitment-incentive program for businesses that relocate to the Charleston area. Staff also noted the county contributes an equal amount to that partnership.

After questions, the committee chair called for a motion. Committee members moved to adopt Resolution 25-27 and, by voice vote, the chair declared the ayes have it and adopted the next fiscal year’s budget. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally or the names of the motion mover and seconder.