[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6296440,"mediaKeyId","2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915","parentId",2515679,"title","Resident alleges city social media used to promote mayor and raises potential ethics concerns","audioSeconds",531,"startMs",1544000,"endMs",2075000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915&start=1544&end=2075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915/thumbnail_1544000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6296440/Huntington/Cabell-County/West-Virginia/Resident-alleges-city-social-media-used-to-promote-mayor-and-raises-potential-ethics-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296440-b5ae22262e5f6ba0ddf4ae394b22ca78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501779&Signature=Jpcfx-OAq-pcsrBESI~cdN2LenMYugzvkmaWEdJknyjJA6RTg0W4y~5EdPDYvqqmfAyydsUc3EQIq62FKOB8MYDvAsggIR8BprxCaW0u3HoETO9PXcvEYLi23sKSiefMyjgRMMRNzCvjJl~ldOme4UaeftCX8nw5K3wi2xpLH-nJJIMND2mV13-kp53GkSYA6BU05LJqtXxvaYIVbqkc7vfgQM1V00vVKk7hxGlM16N75EEnD~ZsKvnMctnlUdud6diYiixhENdkX-2BNrT8iK7-2slXFyDBsmy-c3Ehka0Q2P-5aEegi8BwW9hdSWR8GOCkoHwDm0toBDZit27ztg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Huntington, WV","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","Josh Keck of Staun Road raised concerns Feb. 24 that Huntington’s official social-media accounts have increasingly promoted the mayor and that content from the mayor’s personal accounts and from a partisan page was reposted on official city channels.

Keck told council that city Facebook posted 722 times in 2024 with about 29 posts mentioning the mayor (roughly 4%), and that in 2025 the city had posted 70 times with a substantially higher share mentioning the mayor. He said some posts were screenshots of the mayor's personal tweets and that screenshots are inaccessible to screen readers, creating an accessibility concern. Keck also said the material was reposted rapidly by a local partisan Facebook page and suggested the pattern looked like deliberate coordination or a single person posting across accounts.

Keck cited a provision he identified in the state ethics code (referred to in the meeting as “6 b‑2 b‑3 subsection c,” paraphrased by him) and characterized the reuse of a personal account’s content on official city channels as problematic. He told the council that earlier the same day some reposts had been removed or corrected on city pages and asked the council to do its own fact-finding.

Council did not take formal action on the allegation during the meeting; the speaker said corrections had been made before the meeting. Keck framed his request as a call for transparency and for the city’s official accounts to be the primary distributor of city-produced material rather than personal or partisan accounts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Huntington Council Meeting 2/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told council the city's official social-media accounts have repurposed city content to promote the mayor and may have violated state ethics provisions; the resident urged the council to investigate and said some posts were corrected earlier the same day.","taxTitle","Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia","taxId",2634,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6296445,"Residents press council on homeless shelter location, budget cuts to libraries and parks ahead of March 1 budget hearing",757,1361000,2118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915&start=1361&end=2118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915/thumbnail_1361000.jpg","/articles/6296445/Huntington/Cabell-County/West-Virginia/Residents-press-council-on-homeless-shelter-location-budget-cuts-to-libraries-and-parks-ahead-of-March-1-budget-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296445-ff8e209abed674c42b827eeef9f49bd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501779&Signature=k0Rk1OTwkkqIVi9S715J4YjJXUam3-Xd3sdxfVIqKZ-xHWxc3HpH3a9Kfv5dPxebQougI9whze3xW4NJtpl2tcsPsaAbq-pUswmlmqjm6RvUK6h1gjvH2WM5o7DVmXrqCcS1ehr7f-clA7CwUBk6JAaLHA2421R1RMVsWBVIiYR6afmhVMCU3g7zqIaPVtv08H9742XVTSLlrTKT9Aqx8ZS3OYpEcqJua8H56pG8cnz6OGBS2b7wl7~4ceqRbkf5Al9TDvPlA~Tjw3dOD-iPCHg9QCAoEiE0oi29bUEzFVKMLyUt-uhJwKWZ8OpsLLBz7pLrheEH2iRh9kL2KfFm8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the Feb. 24 Huntington City Council public-comment period to urge the council not to move a planned low-barrier shelter away from downtown and to prioritize services often threatened by proposed budget cuts.

Reverend Oliver Snow (Westview Avenue) appealed to council to keep the low-barrier shelter near downtown resources, saying moving it would be costly and would not solve homelessness because supports remain downtown. Snow warned that criminalizing homelessness would be more expensive than a permanent Housing First approach and said he would continue to press the council on the issue.

A companion commenter (identified in the minutes only as a resident who had conducted a small survey) described outreach data from 14 respondents at a mission: transportation was the most-cited barrier to employment (7 responses), several reported substance-use struggles (8 of 14), and most used mission services (11 of 14). The resident asked council to consider those needs when locating shelter services.

Other speakers focused on the proposed municipal budget. Monty Fowler (625 South Terrace) urged council to preserve funding for libraries and parks, warning that cuts would damage quality-of-life services. Coco Daniels (1066 Cedar Crest Drive) also warned that incremental cuts — which she termed “the death of a thousand cuts” — were eroding services and cited proposed reductions to the animal shelter and other line items as causes for concern. Both urged close scrutiny when the council considers the budget on March 1.

Councilmembers responded with neighborhood meeting announcements and pleas for public engagement. Councilmember Rumbaugh reminded residents that the budget hearing begins March 1 at 9 a.m.; she said the hearing is currently expected to run only until about noon and noted a Women's History Month celebration afterward. Councilmembers Sarah Walling and others encouraged residents to volunteer and to attend the hearing.

Several councilmembers voiced support for keeping the low-barrier shelter downtown. A councilmember identified in the minutes as Mister Orchard said he publicly supported Mayor Farrell’s stance concerning the low-barrier shelter expansion at the mission; Councilmember Lamont said she did not support moving the shelter because resources such as food and clothing are downtown and that the city should either pay for transportation or keep the shelter centrally located.

The public-comment period closed after these remarks; council business continued with announcements and adjournment.","Public commenters urged council not to move a planned low-barrier homeless shelter from downtown, raised concerns about proposed budget cuts to libraries, parks and the animal shelter, and urged compassion and service-oriented responses ahead of the March 1 budget hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6296450,"Council sets hearing for proposed sales-tax district covering East Gateway and former ACF site",276,622000,898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915&start=622&end=898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915/thumbnail_622000.jpg","/articles/6296450/Huntington/Cabell-County/West-Virginia/Council-sets-hearing-for-proposed-sales-tax-district-covering-East-Gateway-and-former-ACF-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296450-bfd0f7e5974377ee7d3ea33919fa6be9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501779&Signature=iLKOLWhEjn3tnh~CAmZEAaJXmNv9tuES~7IMvJsyF92adDb~dtxFghkhPrqAwf~3AbQSN0D1bKgQ-1XhhukTrINdUIx-7F-oBmpeHB5~jQzEJnZiNFA79pdO9hCHWDkTGasFoWM115kMobqggpVkuhDP-4ixV7inlj2JqadLZfggAE~20gNlt8ErkkfLrZj0VjiXukjSjn~dHOUbgJ8RGjYsPMDFvPeQgPNpc1lLWA5hH~rxtHeOH2mPP3rvZChgaiK7ImAzUoVg~ZK0x0vtbUZ2r0LgSchaavt9ZNL1H-IdiyVfDhCnyp0QVUhYbhWu1LfnYeycxmKJIfMtX2CHCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council on Feb. 24 voted to set a March 24 public hearing on a proposed excise sales-tax increment district that would redirect a portion of new sales-tax revenue from businesses in a defined area back to local projects if the West Virginia Legislature authorizes the district.

City presenter Cathy Barnes described the proposed boundary as extending from 30 First Street through portions of Third and Fifth Avenues, the former ACF and Flint sites, the Fourth Avenue Innovation District and into the central business district. Barnes said the district would not raise the sales tax rate; Huntington’s sales tax is 7%, she said, with the state receiving 6 percentage points and the city receiving 1.

Barnes told council that state law requires 30 days’ notice to establish a hearing and that, under the pro forma projections presented, the state would receive 20% of the increment and the city could see an estimated $21,000,000 of new general-fund sales-tax revenue in the pro forma. She said the district could potentially support approximately $25,000,000 in bonded projects and about $12,000,000 in pay-as-you-go projects, though Barnes emphasized those project lists have not been finalized and would later be identified in an ordinance should the state approve the district.

Barnes and legal counsel John Stump answered questions and left a slide deck with the city clerk for council review. Barnes outlined the next steps: council adoption of a resolution allowing the administration to submit an application to the West Virginia Legislature, legislative approval and the governor’s signature, followed by a council ordinance identifying eligible projects if the authorization is granted.

The administration and finance committee voted to forward the resolution with a favorable recommendation and council approved the hearing by voice vote.","Council approved a resolution to establish a public hearing on March 24 for a proposed excise/sales-tax increment district covering parts of Huntington's East Gateway and downtown; administration presented projected revenue and next procedural steps.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6296454,"Council approves lower refuse late-fee penalty, confirms appointment, renews cyber contract and sets TIF hearing",358,980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2515679-521a5590a8477c2108d36a2734bf4915&start=622&end=980","/articles/6296454/Huntington/Cabell-County/West-Virginia/Council-approves-lower-refuse-late-fee-penalty-confirms-appointment-renews-cyber-contract-and-sets-TIF-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6296454-c5983b49353dcaa130bdf154032d199f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501779&Signature=ckFBtCWzcTxVRjlUADacQeWOcXJLXwVFJ3cM~Cz~FPd6-bgbLZg6nDpz1DBwcbBBz2-xSbdg6IveyIYJGVUCfKc-iPw8jP9V8G650Bb4UrRRUqPeMskY7vXHschLDxmt9GfCYkmiolRg2Ot1yjoXWEzip4Er0fePWGmdt4~2h2Zyxor-O~BpIgKa4WVPjAiZRwnDSpNkSQ3LeKPEtx4cyy9aSZY8wVA3X6XrIh8dl~M5UdH05Wtb1knMyTdYW4UnkmDbMhuc6b2Fe9WDh1wanxIIjveSmSbXzBweXUeozqO4TQ1~1ijmfFtmhpC7lR~ntGQy5LvC5Dz4OSy-yxH5XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Huntington City Council on Feb. 24, 2025 approved an ordinance to reduce late-payment penalties on the city refuse fee, confirmed an administrative appointment, authorized renewal of a cybersecurity contract and set a public hearing on a proposed sales-tax increment (TIF) district.

The ordinance (second reading) reduces the penalty for late refuse-fee payments from 5% per quarter to 2% per quarter, which the city attorney characterized as roughly an 8% annual penalty compared with the higher accumulated amount under the existing rule. Acting City Attorney Scott Damron told council the high penalties were driving some residents to stop paying and that the change is intended to encourage prompt payment.

Council also approved a resolution confirming the appointment of Matt Woffel to a city accommodation board (resolution number recorded in the minutes as 2025‑RR‑11) and approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to continue a professional-services agreement with Exidium for cybersecurity services (recorded as 2025‑R‑13). The council voted to establish a public hearing for a proposed excise/sales-tax increment district and its proposed boundaries (recorded as 2025‑R‑20); that hearing was scheduled for the March 24 council meeting.

Votes and motions recorded in the meeting minutes matched the actions below. Committee reports for the ordinance and the cybersecurity renewal were favorable; the personnel committee forwarded the appointment confirmation with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance (codified ordinance amendment described in the minutes as amending section 9 51.08 regarding refuse collection): Motion by Sarah Walling; second by Holly Layman. Roll-call votes recorded as: Miss Vallow — yes; Miss Holly — yes; Miss Johnson — yes; Miss Layman — yes; Miss Mount — yes; Miss Rumbaugh — yes; Mister Sweeney — yes; Miss Walling — yes; Mister Archer — yes; Mister Arthur — yes; Mister Shockley — yes. Outcome: approved.
- Resolution 2025‑RR‑11 (confirmation of appointment of Matt Woffel): Motion by Theresa Johnson; second by Sarah Walling. Committee: personnel — favorable recommendation. Outcome: approved (voice vote: aye).
- Resolution 2025‑R‑13 (authorize mayor to enter contract with Exidium for cybersecurity): Committee: administration and finance — favorable recommendation. Outcome: approved (voice vote: aye).
- Resolution 2025‑R‑20 (establish public hearing for proposed excise/TIF sales-tax district and boundaries): Motion and second recorded in minutes; committee: administration and finance — favorable recommendation. Outcome: approved (voice vote: aye). A separate presentation on the TIF was given and the council later received additional details; a standalone article covers that discussion.

No amendments to these motions were recorded in the meeting minutes. The ordinance and all three resolutions carried as shown in the roll call or by voice vote.","At its Feb. 24 meeting Huntington City Council approved an ordinance reducing late-payment penalties for refuse fees, confirmed an appointment, renewed a cybersecurity contract and voted to set a public hearing on a proposed sales-tax increment district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident alleges city social media used to promote mayor and raises potential ethics concerns

Residents press council on homeless shelter location, budget cuts to libraries and parks ahead of March 1 budget hearing

Council sets hearing for proposed sales-tax district covering East Gateway and former ACF site

Council approves lower refuse late-fee penalty, confirms appointment, renews cyber contract and sets TIF hearing