Administration and Finance Committee forwards five items to full council, including TIF public hearing and police grants

The Huntington City Council Administration and Finance Committee on Feb. 24 voted to forward five resolutions to full council, including two grant applications for the state Drug Evaluation and Classification (DRE) program, two contracts for police vehicles and facility repairs, and a resolution setting a March 24 public hearing on a proposed sales-tax TIF district.

The committee—composed of council members Arthur, Rombaugh, Holly, Archer and Walling—moved each item to full council with favorable recommendations after staff presentations and brief questions. All motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Beau Evans, traffic safety director, presented two resolutions related to the West Virginia Commission on Drunk Driving Prevention (CEDP) that fund the city’s DRE program, which is administered locally through the Huntington Regional Highway Safety program. The first resolution, 2025-R-16, would authorize the mayor to apply for and accept an $88,000 grant to purchase a 2025 Ford Police Interceptor and related equipment to be used by the West Virginia DRE program coordinator, who is a Huntington Police officer. Evans said…