Huntington City Council on Sept. 22 approved the third reading of Ordinance 2025-O-24 and a supplemental resolution tied to sewer revenue bonds, clearing financial steps for construction of a new wastewater treatment plant overseen by the Huntington Water Quality Board.

The project is intended to fund design, acquisition, construction and equipping improvements to the city's public sewerage system. Brian Bracey, executive director of the Huntington Water Quality Board, called the work “the largest water wastewater project in the state of West Virginia ever.”

Bracey told council the third reading is “the second to final step” to move forward with construction and that staff, including a financial adviser identified in the meeting as Mr. Stump, were available to answer questions. Council later voted to adopt the supplemental resolution needed to authorize bond series and related terms so the sanitary board can proceed with the bonding process.

The third-reading ordinance was approved by roll call. Council members answering “yes” during the roll call for the ordinance included Rob Archer, Jason Arthur, Linda Blough, Stacey Johnson, Sally Layman, Linda Lehman, Rumbaugh, Walling and Shockley; Miss Holly and Miss Mount were recorded as absent for the vote. A separate voice vote later approved the supplemental sewer revenue resolution.

Council members asked for and were offered additional time with staff and advisors; one member said they planned a long list of follow-up questions for the project's advisers. No construction start date or bond principal amounts were announced in the council meeting record presented to the body.

The approvals move the Huntington sanitary/water quality board closer to closing financing and proceeding with the construction procurement steps that precede building work.