Greenville City News: City Council Priorities, GVL2040 Plan to Guide Spending

Proposed FY27 Budget Invests in Housing, Open Space, Mobility and Growth Management

Greenville City Council priorities of Public Safety, Mobility and Transportation, Recreation, Open Spaces and Resilience, Neighborhoods and Affordable Housing, and Economic Development will drive FY2027 budget and capital project decisions.

The FY27 proposed General Fund expenditure budget is $161 million. There will be no increase in the tax millage rate or the business license tax rate.

Proposed Public Safety investments include a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) at 204 Halton Road. The location houses the Greenville Police Department and dispatch. An RTCC is a technology-driven operations hub that will provide officers with real-time data, video and intelligence to support faster, safer and more effective policing.

A new Stone Avenue Fire Station is expected to open in late summer to strengthen emergency response and community service. The proposed FY27 budget funds additional positions across all shifts at Station 4 to reduce overtime pressure and increase reliability.

Investments in public facilities to better serve employees and residents, plus targeted replacement of aging vehicles in Public Works will reduce breakdowns and emergency repair costs.

“Every dollar is purposefully allocated to bolster our emergency services, enhance public safety and promote the overall well-being of our citizens,” said City Manager Shannon Lavrin.

The GVL2040 Comprehensive Plan, undergoing a five-year update, is the “North Star” according to Lavrin, guiding operating and capital budgeting in housing affordability, mobility, open space preservation, and managing growth. The GVL2040 core tenets were established by the community.

The proposed budget adapts to population growth and increased traffic with upgrades for high-risk intersections, crosswalks and corridors to improve safety, modernize traffic signals in recently annexed areas and expand traffic-calming measures in neighborhoods.

Improvements to parks, trails and recreational amenities will enhance community well-being and support growing demand for outdoor spaces. Investment in stormwater management, green infrastructure and preservation of open space will strengthen environmental resilience.

Neighborhood revitalization efforts will enhance quality of life, affordable housing initiatives will expand supply, and coordinated services will support housing stability and connect residents to resources. A partnership with Greenville Together to help our unhoused neighbors will be coupled with investments in 24/7 restrooms, outreach services and a homeless resource center.

To help Greenville thrive, the proposed budget funds the Greenville City Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) for business recruitment and retention, support of entrepreneurship and job growth, and real estate development. City events and festivals will serve as an economic engine to grow revenue through hospitality and accommodations tax.

City Manager Shannon Lavrin said the budget demonstrates responsible financial management while investing in the services and priorities the community values most. “This balanced approach ensures we meet current needs while maintaining a solid financial foundation for Greenville’s future,” Lavrin said.

Greenville is the only SC municipality to receive a AAA classification — the highest possible — from the three major rating agencies.

A second budget presentation is planned for Monday, April 27. Residents may discuss the budget with the City budget team at the Project Preview Meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at the Prisma Health Welcome Center in Unity Park.