Huntington City Council members and Mayor Steve Williams on Saturday assessed budget concerns of the public works sector. The meeting opened with questions from the first two sessions of budget hearings. Council member Scott Caserta requested residential fees be raised in order to cover the needed revenue for police, paving and the fire department. As such, city service fees (CSF) and municipal service fees (MSF) would need to increase. The goal is to generate approximately 1.5 million dollars for these entities. Currently, each house in Huntington pays a base rate of $120 CSF and 7.35 cents per square foot MSF. To raise $1.5 million solely from CSF, the base rate would need to increase to $214 per year. To raise the money solely from MSF, it would need to increase to 10.3 cents per square foot. There is also the option of increasing both fixed and variable rates, but by a smaller percentage. The fees were last raised nine years ago.
District 4 Representative Gary Bunn suggested public interest meetings with council members in respective districts to interact with citizens about the possible change. The council also considered a large public interest meeting for the whole city, but it would have to be moved to a bigger hall or building. This raised concerns for how closely council meetings needed to be chained to City Hall Chambers. Williams said the city's best bet for support on this issue is to rely on citizens wanting service problems resolved. "My intent is not to go out to the public and say do you want to raise fees because we're going to have everyone saying no," Williams said. "From a police standpoint, a fire department standpoint, public works, what are some of the things you want done? If there are people who want their street paved or stop the flooding, they'll come out and say I need this fixed." If agreed upon, Williams said meetings with specific districts would occur in late March and early April in order to take action in May.
The annual state of the Municipal Parking Board presented by director Mike Wilson served as new business. He said he is commonly asked why the parking board made so much money in the past, yet no money now. He said the answer is a rise in insurance cost, unexpected medical costs for retirees and the sale of lots. The lot across from Wendy's on Third Avenue, for example, was sold, losing the board $30,000 per year. Events, such as 5k races, are becoming more frequent, cutting out some of the revenue for parking, as streets are not open at the 8:00a.m. parking meter start time, though they are open by 10:00. Wilson said the parking board is operating at break-even status right now, so action is needed in the near future. A handout of ways revenue could be increased was provided, including ideas such as raising meter fees, raising citation prices or a grant from the city budget. Williams, however, suggested first trying another route. "We're agreeing that all the revenue from parking citations, fines should go directly to the parking board," Williams said. "Right now, the city takes a percentage of it, but because of their bond requirements, they need it." He said he believes this will be a good answer, at least for the short-term. It is anticipated that the art incubator Marshall purchased downtown will also bring in new parking revenue. In addition, parking board employees will be getting a 3 percent raise after staying consistent since 2007.
Finally, the council debated independent contributions related to economic development. Funding of the Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter was widely discussed. Williams said an accountant is reviewing the shelter's status, but as of now, the city will be contributing $100,000 to operation costs. The amount may increase after the accountant finishes up next week. The only revenue for the shelter comes from adoptions, grants and donations. Councilman Gillespie asked why smaller towns in the Cabell-Wayne area do not contribute money to the shelter that also serves them. Williams said Huntington uses the shelter the most, but did not know why other towns did not contribute. The city will also be contributing to the ambulance service so citizens of West Moreland are afforded ambulances. Williams said though West Moreland is in Wayne County, ambulance opportunities should be present. Harris Riverfront Park just received a grant for a Tony Hawk skate park. The city renewed its contribution to the Huntington Park and Recreation District to assist with the skate park, an eventual spray park and the upkeep of Huntington's numerous parks. Lastly, though no specific amounts of money were stated, city council members agreed they wanted to find money to enhance Huntington In Bloom beautification efforts and enhance Christmas decorations in the city.
The next city council meeting will be Monday and the next budget hearing March 20.
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