Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin presented the proposed 2023-2024 budget to the Charleston Finance Committee Monday evening. Mayor Goodwin said the proposed budget provides a plan to achieve a $15 an hour starting wage. It will also make the salaries of tenured police officers more competitive and provide firefighters with an increase to the paramedic bonus. Goodwin also said the proposed budget will keep healthcare premiums for employees and retirees flat by absorbing the estimated 16% PEIA cost increase and increasing the contributions to Health Savings Accounts. Goodwin said the proposed budget does not cut any essential services and doesn’t include any new taxes or fees. Charleston City Council will vote on the proposed budget on March 20, 2023.