News Summary
The Greenville City Council has approved a $291.2 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, focusing on public safety and affordable housing initiatives. The budget allocates significant resources for adding new police and fire department positions and enhances public safety equipment. In addition, it earmarks $2.5 million for affordable housing projects. The council aims to promote community engagement and support economic development without increasing taxes, although solid waste fees will see a slight increase.
Greenville – The Greenville City Council has unanimously approved a $291.2 million operating budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026, which will take effect on July 1. The budget reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing the pressing need for affordable housing, among other key initiatives.
In addition to the operating budget, the council also approved a $25.9 million budget for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This financial blueprint will support various city council priorities, including neighborhoods and affordable housing, economic development, recreation, open space and sustainability, public safety, and mobility.
The budget allocates substantial resources to public safety, which represents the largest share of expenditures in the city’s general fund. Specific investments include the addition of four new positions within the police department: two traffic officers, one warrant officer, and one officer dedicated to the Neighborhood Engagement Team. Additionally, the Greenville City Fire Department will benefit from six new positions, among them a recruit training specialist, which will help bolster the local firefighting workforce.
Enhancements to public safety capabilities will include funding for body cameras for police officers, as well as upgraded protective equipment, which encompasses new patrol shields for police and emergency radios for firefighters and public works crews. Furthermore, the budget includes plans for the construction of a new fire station in close proximity to Stone Avenue, aimed at improving response times and service delivery in the area.
Significantly, the budget also sets aside $2.5 million specifically for the development of affordable housing initiatives. An additional $1.65 million from both state and local accommodations tax revenues will further support projects aimed at workforce housing. Moreover, funds are earmarked for land acquisitions that will facilitate future affordable housing development endeavors.
To promote community engagement and development, a small area plan for the West Greenville neighborhood will be created. The budget also includes provisions for the construction of new neighborhood multiservice centers in the Viola and Southernside areas, which are expected to offer various community services and resources.
Economic development remains a focal point in the FY26 budget, with city officials emphasizing the importance of supporting city employees to enhance public services across multiple sectors. Despite the comprehensive financial planning, the budget does not introduce any tax increases or alterations to business license rates. However, residents can expect a slight change in the solid waste fee, which will increase by $3 per month, and there will be annual increases of 3.1 percent for stormwater and wastewater fees.
The approval of this budget encapsulates the city council’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of the community while promoting growth and sustainability. With a strong emphasis on public safety and affordable housing, the fiscal strategy is designed to ensure that Greenville remains a welcoming and safe place for all its residents.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: Greenville, South Carolina
- Fox Carolina
- Google Search: Greenville budget 2025
- Greenville Journal
- Google Scholar: Greenville budget affordable housing
- Fox Carolina Video
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greenville budgets
- Fox Carolina
- Google News: Greenville budget
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
