North Charleston City Council met Tuesday with all seats filled for the first time in more than a year, following a period marked by federal corruption charges and resignations that left the city government operating short-handed.

Mayor Reggie Burgess delivered his State of the City address via pre-recorded video during the January 22 meeting, marking the start of his third year in office. The council now operates with its complete nine-member roster after months of vacancies created by federal investigations.

“We’re bringing the team back together,” Burgess said during his address, referring to the restored full council membership.

The completion of the council comes after a turbulent period that saw federal charges filed against former council members. The investigations and subsequent departures left North Charleston, the state’s third-largest city, governing with vacant seats during critical budget and development decisions.

Federal prosecutors charged former Councilman Michael Brown in May 2023 with conspiracy and bribery related to city contracting. Brown resigned his District 4 seat following his indictment. Former Councilwoman Rhonda Jerome also stepped down from her District 6 position amid the broader federal probe into city operations.

The vacancies forced the remaining council members to handle increased workloads while the city recruited replacements. North Charleston’s charter requires a supermajority vote on key financial matters, making the empty seats a practical obstacle to governance.

Appointments and a special election restored the council to full strength by late 2023. District 4 voters elected newcomer Patricia Williams in November, while the council appointed Marcus McDonald to fill the District 6 vacancy until the next regular election cycle.

Burgess used Tuesday’s address to outline priorities for 2024, focusing on economic development projects and infrastructure improvements. The mayor highlighted plans for expanding the city’s industrial base and addressing flooding issues in residential neighborhoods.

“North Charleston continues to grow, and we need infrastructure that matches our ambitions,” Burgess said in the recorded remarks.

The city faces several major decisions this year, including negotiations with Boeing over tax incentives and planning for a proposed mixed-use development near the airport. Council members will also vote on a $285 million budget that includes funding for new police officers and road improvements.

Tuesday’s meeting marked the first time since early 2023 that all nine council seats were occupied simultaneously during a regular session. The full roster allows for more committee assignments and reduces the burden on individual members who had been covering multiple districts’ concerns.

Federal investigators continue their probe into North Charleston’s contracting practices, though no additional charges have been filed since Brown’s indictment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the ongoing investigation’s status.

Brown pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and awaits trial scheduled for later this year. Court documents allege he accepted payments from contractors seeking city business, including work on the North Charleston Coliseum and other municipal projects.

The corruption investigation prompted calls for stronger oversight of city contracts. Several Politics & Government reform advocates have pushed for independent auditing of major expenditures and public disclosure requirements for council members’ business relationships.

Councilwoman Williams, who won the special election to replace Brown, campaigned on transparency and accountability. She previously worked as a community advocate and brings no previous elected experience to the role.

“Residents deserve to trust their government,” Williams said after taking her oath in December. “My job is earning that trust back.”

McDonald, the District 6 appointee, served on the city’s planning commission before joining the council. He faces voters in 2025 when Jerome’s original term expires.

The restored council will tackle several contentious issues in coming months. Residents have complained about flooding in the Chicora and Liberty Hill neighborhoods, while business leaders push for zoning changes to accommodate warehouse development.

North Charleston’s population has grown 15% since 2020, according to city estimates, straining services and infrastructure. The council approved hiring 12 additional police officers last year but still operates below recommended staffing levels.

Burgess, who won re-election in 2023 without opposition, emphasized economic development as his administration’s top priority. The city competes with Charleston and Mount Pleasant for commercial investment while managing growth pressures on working-class neighborhoods.

“We’re not just filling seats – we’re building a council that works for everyone,” Burgess said in his address.

Tuesday’s meeting proceeded without the disruptions that marked several 2023 sessions when public comments focused on the federal investigation. Citizens who addressed the council discussed routine matters including traffic concerns and park maintenance.

The council’s next meeting is scheduled for February 13, when members will vote on the city’s five-year capital improvement plan. The $120 million proposal includes road projects, park upgrades, and technology improvements for city departments.

Federal prosecutors have not indicated when their investigation might conclude. Similar probes in other South Carolina municipalities have taken two to three years to complete, according to previous coverage of local government accountability.