City Council Work Session - 2026-04-27
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Greenville City Council held its second FY27 budget workshop, presenting a $160.9 million general fund budget with an unchanged millage rate of 81.4. The budget prioritizes public safety investments including a new real-time crime center, mobility improvements, and affordable housing initiatives with $750,000 for homelessness services and $500,000 for emerging housing opportunities. Police reported a 21% overall crime decrease in Q1 2026 compared to the prior year, continuing a 25-year low trend.
Key Decisions (1)
FY27 Budget Workshop Presentation
City presented second budget workshop for FY27 with $160.9 million in general fund expenditures, $157.8 million in projected revenues, utilizing $3.07 million of fund balance. Millage rate remains at 81.4, business license tax flat. First reading and public hearing scheduled for May 11, second reading May 18.
Development Activity (10)
Downtown Greenville Conference Center
Planned debt issuance for conference center construction, specific figures to be finalized
City Hall Development
Planned debt issuance for city hall, specific figures to be finalized
Stone Ave Fire Station
New fire station opening this summer with additional staffing positions
Nickeltown Neighborhood Center
Community center renovation completed and opened last week
Nickeltown Resilience Hub
New resilience hub planned
Viola Neighborhood Center
Community center under construction
West Greenville Community Center
Community center in planning phase
Wheel Sports Park
New wheel sports park with Swamp Rabbit Trail connection
Airport Loop Trail
Trail connection funding included in budget
Augusta Street Undergrounding Phase 1
Utility undergrounding project to be awarded later this spring, utilizing majority of $4.7 million utility undergrounding fund balance
Market Signals (6)
Housing Demand
City allocated maximum 15% of state and local accommodations tax for workforce housing, plus $500,000 for emerging affordable housing opportunities and increased homelessness funding from $500,000 to $750,000.
Sentiment
Greenville remains the only municipality in South Carolina with AAA ratings from all three major agencies (S&P, Moody's, Fitch), enabling low-cost debt financing.
Housing Demand
RFP for Haney Serene property development due back May 1st, indicating city actively seeking developers for city-owned properties.
Commercial Demand
City continuing $2.5 million annual commitment to Greenville Housing Fund and reinvesting in Florida Fund and Facade Improvement Program for economic development.
Infrastructure
City planning $2 million engineering infrastructure line item for various projects, with specific project list to be presented this summer.
Sentiment
Police department staffing increased from 212 to 226 officers with strong lateral applications from other jurisdictions, indicating Greenville's attractiveness to law enforcement professionals.