The Charleston City Council placed the city budget for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2022 on file for public inspection during its meeting Tuesday evening.

The budget will be available for review at the Carnegie Library and City Hall beginning March 17 after it is approved by the council.

The budget will be online at the council’s section of the city website.

The budget will be available for public inspection until April 20.

The council is recommended to approve the item placing the budget on file for inspection.

The city council also approved an item waiving the bidding procedures for the purchase of a truck for the Parks and Recreation Department.

The city will be purchasing a 2021 Ford F250 utility to replace a 2001 Ford F250 for the department.

The purchase will be from Pilson Auto Center.

The reason for the purchase is so that the Parks and Recreation Department can “continue to provide and maintain the existing level of services to the community.”

The purchase will not exceed $39,474.

The estimated purchase price for a basic model of the truck is $38,009 according to Kelley Blue Book.

The council will also vote on granting a petition for a rear yard zoning variance at 1610 Redbud Rd.

The property is occupied by Pro-Mow Lawn Care.

The council is being asked to allow the owner, Ed Carter, to build a 2,640 square foot building on the land that would be 15 feet from the rear property line. The property is zoned as agricultural which requires a 35-foot set back from the rear property line.

The following finding of fact was listed in the item:

“The current “Pro-Mow” building is deteriorated and needs to be re placed. The orientation of the building will shift from west/east to north/south in order for the operation to function effectively. Currently, the existing building is approximately 8’ from the west property line (rear). The new building will shift to the east and allow for a 15’ rear yard setback, improving the existing condition.”

Councilman Dennis Malek, on behalf of Mayor Brandon Combs, announced two re-appointments during the meeting. Combs was not present for the meeting.

Both re-appointments were approved.

One re-appoint is for Brendan Lynch to a three-year term on the Fire and Police Board of Commissioners, the other will be for the re-appointment Charleston Fire Department Steve Bennett for a four-year on the Charleston Electrical Commission.

The continuation of the local state of emergency was also approved.

According to the resolution, “The nature of the emergency is the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude that it may result in or threaten the death or illness of persons to such an extent that extraordinary measures must be taken to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Charleston, and thereby it has warranted an emergency declaration for all states and local government entities and more specifically within the corporate limits of the City of Charleston.”

During the meeting no public comment was given.

The next council meeting will be April 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Public comment can be made or submitted remotely via email to [email protected]. Those interested in submitting public comment should send emails prior to 5:00 p.m. April 6 and indicate in the subject line: CC: 03/16/2020, so the city clerk knows the email is public comment for the meeting.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].