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Council approves levy bill for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026
Summary
The Charleston City Council passed Bill 8,075 on April 7, 2026, setting levy rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. The finance committee recommended approval and the measure passed 26-0; the council adjourned until May 4.
The Charleston City Council on April 7, 2026, approved Bill 8,075, which sets property levy rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, the council clerk reported after a 26-0 vote.
The measure, read into the record by the clerk, was described as "a bill and order relating to the laying of levies on real, personal, and public utility property within the city of Charleston, including excess levies previously provided for in the official municipal budget document for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2026," and the finance committee recommended adoption.
Why it matters: Levy rates fund municipal operations and services. Council member Jenkins told colleagues the attached bill lists both the normal levy and an excess levy; both are calculated from property valuations provided by the county assessor. Jenkins said the rates have not changed for several years and noted an excess-levy renewal will appear on the ballot in the coming weeks.
What happened: After the clerk introduced the committee report and the finance committee recommended approval, the chair opened the floor for discussion. The clerk prepared the voting machine; when votes were tallied the clerk announced "26 yeas," and the chair declared Bill 8,075 passed.
Council business: The meeting opened with Council member Overstreet leading an invocation and the pledge was recited as requested by the chair. The chair reported 26 members present and that there were no members of the public signed up to speak that evening.
A member comment: After adjournment was moved, Council member Jenkins expressed frustration with the procedural requirement that prompted the separate session, saying, "It's so ridiculous we have to do this," and suggesting the council consolidate such items at the regular second meeting.
Next steps: The council adjourned until Monday, May 4. The clerk and city staff will carry forward the adopted levy rates and any related administrative steps tied to the municipal budget and the upcoming ballot item on the excess levy.
