ÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ

The first grant asks for $88,000 for the police department to purchase one 2025 Ford ÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ Interceptor vehicle with the in-car camera system, in-car radio, laptop docking station and other cruiser-related equipment necessary for the complete setup of the law enforcement cruiser.

The second grant of $15,600 would assist the West Virginia DRE program in expanding its training abilities to cover more areas across the state in the instructing of the DWI detection and courses for law enforcement officers.

MayorÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s report

In his report, Mayor Patrick Farrell addressed concerns from council following the first budget meeting last Saturday, where he answered questions regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Farrell said he is proud of the budget because it focuses on spending taxpayersÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™ money on the cityÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s most important priorities, which he says are safety, better roads and economic growth. Farrell said heÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s come up with these conclusions by talking to residents and putting out a business survey, as well as conducting listening sessions at neighborhood association meetings.

Farrell also addressed concerns regarding funding for the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Control Shelter. The shelter faces a potential $200,000 decrease in contributions from the city in FarrellÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s proposed budget. He said the animal shelter had been funded on $200,000 or less in the previous administrationÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s budgets, with the exception of last yearÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s budget, which included a $400,000 allocation.

Farrell said last yearÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s budget also significantly underfunded some critical categories, such as city workersÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™ health insurance premiums, by $2.1 million. Because the city can no longer depend on federal funds as it did in the past, Farrell said the city will focus on its top priorities.

Another concern asked about in the budget meeting was council microgrants, which he said will be eliminated in FY26. While he touched on it at the meeting, he said he failed to mention the elimination of the district/council specific microgrants will go through the same process for the remaining months of the fiscal year ending on June 30.

Several residents spoke during good and welfare and shared concerns they have on the proposed FY26 budget and potential relocation of the Huntington City MissionÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ™s low barrier shelter.

In other business

The council moved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone seven parcels in the 600 block of Monroe Avenue. The properties are currently zoned R-2 single-family residential, and it is recommended to be rezoned to an I-1 light industrial commercial by petitioner Quantum Properties. The seven properties consist of four parcels that are single-family homes that will remain in appearance and will be converted into office space, according to the council packet staff report.

The council also approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract to furnish labor and materials for the partial roof replacement at the Public Works Complex.

The council approved a resolution to authorize a contract for the painting, marking, purchase and installation of all emergency equipment for two marked patrol vehicles for the Huntington ÈËÑýÉ«ÇéƬ Department.