Charleston County Council approved multiple Greenbelt program funding allocations and conservation actions during its November meeting, but several members pressed staff for clearer rules after some projects were shown to rely on State Conservation Bank matching funds that remain pending.

Chris Dubuque, deputy director of the Greenbelt program, opened the discussion with an overview of the program’s public dashboard and historical totals, saying, “these numbers are available and updated daily.” He told the council that since the program was first funded in 2007, the council has approved 234 Greenbelt projects that have protected roughly 26,170 acres and 12.3 miles of corridor. Dubuque reported roughly $169.7 million in funds awarded to date, with approximately $31 million toward conservation easements and $130.3 million toward fee-simple acquisitions. He said 45% of acres protected through the program are available for public access and that about $62.5 million has been directed to projects on minority-owned lands (about 4,000 acres).

The council’s vote package included fee-simple acquisitions and conservation easements across multiple municipalities. Several council members urged caution about approving county allocations for projects that remain dependent on state funding. Councilmember Moody warned that approving contingent packages could encourage applicants to rush incomplete proposals, saying, “I see applicants that are going, the money may be running out soon. I better get at the trough before my shot is gone.” Other members, including Councilmember Boykin and Chair Karen Middleton, said the county plays a facilitation role and that county commitments can enable projects to secure outside matches, but they also asked staff to return with standard operating procedures and possible time limits on contingent approvals.

Council members discussed administrative details: Dubuque said the county would not close on a parcel unless matching funds came through, and that if state matches did not arrive the county allocation would return to its account. He also said the county’s grant agreement requires closings to occur within 120 days after the agreement is executed.

Votes at a glance

- 5a Montgomery Tract (Greenbelt project, agenda 5a): APPROVED by roll call (5 ayes, 4 nays). Vote: Boykin (aye), Darby (nay), Honeycutt (aye), Kurowski (aye), Moody (nay), Pryor (nay), Sass (aye), Wurman (aye), Middleton (nay). Public access: no.

- 5b AC-2 (Greenbelt project, agenda 5b): APPROVED by roll call (5 ayes, 4 nays). Vote: Boykin (aye), Darby (nay), Honeycutt (aye), Kurowski (nay), Moody (nay), Pryor (nay), Sass (aye), Wurman (aye), Middleton (nay). Public access: no.

- 5c (fee-simple project listed on agenda 5c): APPROVED by roll call (8 ayes, 1 nay). Vote: Boykin (aye), Darby (aye), Honeycutt (aye), Kurowski (aye), Moody (nay), Pryor (aye), Sass (aye), Wurman (aye), Middleton (aye). Public access: yes.

- 5d Betsy Carson Nature Trail Phase 5 (Greenbelt project): APPROVED by roll call (9 ayes). Public access: yes; project includes planned trail system improvements and a nature education center. Dubuque said the applicant pledged to cover a $600,000 shortfall if state funding was deferred.

- 5e Edisto Island Museum (conservation easement): APPROVED by roll call (9 ayes). Public access: yes (museum site).

- 5f Small Springs Scenic Buffer (Greenbelt project): APPROVED by roll call (6 ayes, 3 nays). Vote pattern recorded in roll call. Public access: no (scenic buffer).

- 5g Maxey Farm Nature Preserve (Greenbelt project): APPROVED by roll call (9 ayes). Public access: yes.

- 5h Cedar Hall Scenic Buffer (Greenbelt project): APPROVED by roll call (6 ayes, 3 nays). Public access: no.

- 5i Pope Flynn (conservation easement listed as 5i): APPROVED by roll call (6 ayes, 3 nays). Public access: no.

- 5j Preacher’s Pond (conservation easement): APPROVED by roll call (6 ayes, 3 nays). Public access: no.

Additional finance votes

- 4a Lease agreement with Trident United Way: APPROVED by voice vote. Council asked staff to confirm how tenant-funded improvements are treated in the lease; staff said tenant improvements are being funded by the tenant where applicable.

- 4b Demolition of the Lee Building (33366 Rivers Ave.): APPROVED by voice vote.

- 6a Pedestrian/temporary construction easement at 4355 Bridgeview Drive: APPROVED by voice vote.

What it means

Council approved the projects as allocations; in most cases the county will not expend funds until all closing conditions and matching grants are in place. That approach prompted repeated requests from councilmembers for the Greenbelt program to return with consistent operating procedures and, at least preliminarily, time limits on how long county allocations can remain contingent on outside matches. Several members said that adding a deadline for applicants to secure outside matches would reduce staff time spent monitoring protracted closings and increase fairness in future funding cycles.

Next steps

Staff told the council that FY26 application cycles continue (the winter cycle opened Nov. 3 and closes Jan. 30) and that staff will return with recommendations on standard procedures and potential time limits for contingent approvals. Dubuque also pointed to the public Greenbelt dashboard for detailed project and balance information.