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Public Safety Committee forwards $53,275 Byrne JAG award, approves intergovernmental split with Cabell County
Summary
The Huntington Public Safety Committee on an unanimous voice vote forwarded to full council an ordinance and a companion resolution authorizing Mayor Farrell to accept a $53,275 FY2024 Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and to enter an intergovernmental agreement with Cabell County to split the award.
The Huntington Public Safety Committee on an unanimous voice vote forwarded to full council an ordinance and a companion resolution authorizing Mayor Farrell to accept a $53,275 FY2024 Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Department to split the award.
Chief Phil Watkins of the Huntington Police Department told the committee the total FY24 JAG allocation is $53,275 and that the two agencies “have agreed to a continued funding split, split based on the previous years.” Watkins said, “Our department will receive, 2 thirds, of the money, which is $35,516.66, while the sheriff's department will receive 1 third, which equals $17,758.33.”
The committee heard that although the award is designated FY24, it was not issued until December 2024 and was formally acknowledged in February 2025. Watkins said the grant performance period is retroactive and runs “from 09/30/2023 through 09/30/2027.” When a committee member asked whether the grant requires a local match, Watkins replied no.
Committee members moved and seconded motions to forward both the ordinance (listed in the agenda as 2025‑O‑19) and the resolution (listed as 2025‑R‑65) to full council with favorable recommendations; the committee signaled approval by voice vote. A committee member volunteered to sponsor the resolution at full council.
Discussion before the votes focused on the allocation and timing of the award; committee members did not request changes to the proposed two-thirds/one-third split during the meeting. The actions taken by the committee were procedural: forwarding the ordinance and resolution to the Huntington city council with favorable recommendations. Final acceptance of the grant and the intergovernmental agreement will require full‑council approval and the mayor’s signature.
The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is a U.S. Department of Justice formula award used by local jurisdictions for a range of public‑safety and criminal‑justice purposes. Committee members did not specify particular programs or purchases the Huntington Police Department plans to fund with the FY24 allocation during the meeting.
