Isle of Palms council adopts 2026–27 budget, approves procurement and authorizes $15,000 for pre-nourishment sampling

At second reading the Isle of Palms City Council adopted the fiscal-year 2026–27 budget ordinance, after members debated compensation and capital items.

During the meeting the council moved through several procurement actions included in the packet and covered at committee: a roofing contract, purchases for public-safety vehicles and equipment, an award for AI traffic-signal software, and a $54,000 contract to PCS to remove sandbags ahead of the nourishment project. Staff said the sandbag work must start quickly to meet the nourishment sequencing and that funds for the removal are in escrow with the permitting authority.

Monitoring and professional services: Council debated a proposed change order to the city's monitoring consultant (CSE) to cover permit-required environmental monitoring work; the proposal discussed totaled approximately $215,904. Because some monitoring tasks were required immediately to meet permit conditions, council approved an amendment to authorize about $15,000 to collect pre-construction sediment and benthic samples so construction could proceed while staff returns with a refined monitoring and costing plan.

Votes and next steps: Several procurement motions carried by roll call and voice vote. Council directed staff to return with a detailed monitoring budget and to proceed with sandbag removal and procurement tasks as scheduled.

The budget and contract approvals set the city’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year and paved the way for the imminent start of nourishment mobilization later this summer.