Charleston council advances budget and ordinance items, approves first reading of 41 Cooper Street; discusses housing contracts in executive session

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston City Council advanced multiple budget and ordinance items and considered additional legislative business at its Dec. 17 meeting.

The council moved 12 items to second reading during the meeting and recorded votes on several. The mayor noted that item 4 was "as amended." During a roll call on later readings, Councilwoman Parker registered a recorded "nay" on item 3 and explained her vote: "While I support the majority of the budget, I and COLA increases for our staff, I cannot support it when it's attached to certain salaries." The clerk then recorded the motion to move items forward and the motion carried despite Parker's dissent.

Council members next voted to move for third reading and ratification of the budget items; the motion carried after a voice vote in which Parker again registered a nay. The council also approved the first reading of a bill concerning 41 Cooper Street; the clerk announced the "Ayes have it."

Later in the meeting the council went into executive session "to discuss potential contracts for affordable housing." The mayor reported afterward that the council had discussed possible contracts but took no action during the executive session.

No specific dollar amounts, ordinance numbers or detailed salary lines were read aloud on the transcript; the council referenced the council packet for item specifics and confirmed that some items had been amended prior to the vote. The council set its next meeting for Jan. 14, 2025.