Committee forwards $20,000 grant application for Drug Evaluation & Classification training to council

The Administration and Finance Committee voted to forward Resolution 2025‑R‑38 to full council with a favorable recommendation. The resolution authorizes the mayor to apply for and accept an assistance grant of $20,000 for the West Virginia Drug Evaluation and Classification (DRE) program.

Beau Evans, traffic safety director, said the grant would come from the Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention and would offset training costs for the annual magistrate Court Training Conference scheduled for June 2025. Evans told the committee, "This funding would be used for instructor fees and materials needed for the training. There will be approximately 100 magistrates from around West Virginia at the training and will need at least 20 DRE instructors to be present at that time during the training." He added the grant is reimbursable and carries "no matching funds, required for this grant."

Evans also asked the committee to fast-track the resolution because the grant period ends in June and paperwork must be filed in May. Committee member Miss Rumbaugh moved to forward the resolution with a favorable recommendation; Mister Arthur seconded. The committee recorded a voice vote in favor and the item will be forwarded to full council for final action and acceptance of the grant if awarded.

The resolution authorizes the mayor to apply for and accept the grant; it does not commit the city to any matching funds or spending beyond the reimbursable costs described by Evans. The application and acceptance process will be handled through the Huntington Regional Highway Safety Office and the city's finance offices if approved.