Charleston’s city budget for the next fiscal year does not cut or eliminate any essential services or include any new taxes, and earmarks $3 million for street paving and $300,000 for the demolition of dilapidated structures. The $99.8 million budget for 2021-2022 was approved Monday during Charleston City Council’s meeting and will go into effect July 1.
A news release from the city said the budget does not eliminate any positions or make cuts to overtime, including police, fire, and public works. The budget also provides funding for the purchase of critical machinery and equipment, including 17 police vehicles, police radio equipment and new body cameras with improved functionality and increased battery life, three Charleston Fire Department passenger vehicles, one fire rescue truck, and various life-saving equipment. A new city planner position is included in the budget, which the city said will help with the ongoing and expanding work of the Charleston Land Reuse Agency.
The budget does not change any funding to employee or retiree healthcare coverage. City officials said the city’s health clinic will remain in place and become an approved PEIA provider, saving the city close to $400,000 annually.