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Goose Creek council approves first reading of 2025 budget, highlights policing and fire staffing
Summary
Council approved the first reading of the FY2025 budget on Oct. 8. Mayor Gregory Habib said the budget supports adding sworn police positions (from 70 to 92), hiring 12 firefighters for a new station, and purchasing vehicles and radios; he noted much of the year-over-year increase is carryover and a $2.5 million state grant for the fire station.
On Oct. 8 the Goose Creek City Council approved the introduction and first reading of the fiscal year 2025 budget. Mayor Gregory Habib framed the proposal as an investment in public safety, recreation and service capacity and highlighted staffing and equipment additions the budget supports.
Habib said sworn police personnel have increased in recent years and the budget allows the city to grow from roughly 70 to 92 sworn officers—an increase of about 22 officers. He also said the city plans to hire 12 new firefighters to staff a station expected to open in spring 2026, and the budget includes purchases such as 15 new police vehicles, new 800-megahertz radios for firefighters and a $165,000 mobile lift for maintenance staff. Habib told residents much of the apparent budget growth reflects carryover funds and a $2.5 million state grant obtained for the new fire station; "when you see that large increase, please recognize it's not all... it's carryover and includes $2,500,000 that was a grant from the state," he said.
Council discussed workforce and living-wage considerations and invited residents to a city-hosted "Budget and Brews" session to learn more about where revenue comes from and how priorities were set. The mayor called for the vote and the budget passed the first reading by voice vote; further review and the second reading will follow the city's usual budget-adoption process.
