How the Charleston City Council turned unused funds into citywide holiday cheer

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Charleston is looking brighter than ever this holiday season, and it is not by accident.

The city has added more decorations across neighborhoods, intersections and major corridors after council members chose to redirect their unused travel and administrative funds to help expand the holiday budget.

Each council member receives $4,000 for travel and another $2,600 annually for district-related communications, meetings or merchandise. Any unspent money returns to the city’s general fund. This year, instead of letting those unused dollars roll back, council members decided to use them to spread some holiday cheer.

Out of all 12, five council members donated their full $6,600 allocation; beyond that, every member except District 7’s Keith Waring contributed the remaining balance of their budgets. Altogether, the contributions added nearly $47,000 to the roughly $60,000 the city already sets aside for holiday décor. District 10 Councilman Stephen Bowden was among those who donated his entire allotment.

Bowden said the gesture may seem small within the city’s $350 million budget, but it can have a meaningful impact on residents.

“Charleston is a really special place, and we sometimes think downtown is the centerpiece of what we have to offer. But West Ashley is an incredible community where the vast majority of our citizens live,” Bowden said. “Spreading some of this out there, and out to Johns Island and James Island, helps us feel like one city rather than separate parts fighting each other for resources.”

He said the council wanted to support the many residents who may be feeling stretched thin this time of year.

“This time of year is hard. People are stretching themselves financially. They are scrambling to finish things at work. They may have other concerns that make the season difficult. So even a small reminder that we are a community, that we are in this together and that there is joy in little things really matters,” he said.

Bowden said council members were motivated by a shared belief that government can play a positive role beyond basic infrastructure.

“It is really tempting to view government as a spreadsheet or a balance sheet where we focus only on essential services. But government can be more than that. Since 2020, society has felt a little coarser than before, with fewer opportunities for community,” Bowden said. “When Council Member Appel suggested donating this money, it seemed like a great chance for people to stop and appreciate that we live together in an incredible area and how fortunate we are to be in community with one another.”

He added that while the city has many competing budget needs, this project was still worth supporting.

“There are plenty of things we need in the city and plenty of ways we can spend the money,” Bowden said. “We just thought it was important to give people the opportunity to stop and appreciate each other.”

Bowden said the decorations will be visible across the city, but residents in West Ashley and Johns Island may notice the biggest difference because of their size and geography.

“There will be more downtown and there will be more in every part of the city. We have these big ‘JOY’ signs coming in and there will be lights on lampposts and things. So just look around your neighborhood. I think you will see evidence of it,” he said.

He also said the holiday season offers the city a chance to help residents reconnect.

“It is supposed to be a time we spend with family and friends and remember what is important. I know some people may roll their eyes at the idea of the city playing a role in that,” Bowden said. “Maybe I am a little optimistic. But I think government can help bring us back together from the things that have divided us.”

Bowden said this year’s effort came together quickly, but council members are already thinking about ways to expand it.

“I think next year we will see an even bigger dedication to this,” he said. “I am glad we had this idea. It came a little late in the cycle, but we are working to spread holiday cheer to every corner of the city that we can.”

City leaders hope the added sparkle helps residents feel even more at home. The city’s annual holiday parade is scheduled for Sunday, offering families a chance to enjoy the expanded decorations firsthand and celebrate the season together.