Huntington council approves business licenses, hires city recorder, adopts tentative budget and approves legal retainer

Huntington City Council on May 21 approved a set of routine and administrative items including business licenses, a donation to an elementary school archery team, a hire for city recorder and a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26.

Business licenses: The council approved business licenses for Rocky Mountain Home Sales and Wild Bunch Bike Family. Rocky Mountain Home Sales was presented by Lynn Citrude; Wild Bunch Bike Family was represented by Don Gardner, who told the council the group is a newly incorporated 501(c)(3) that raises funds for children, first responders and veterans.

Huntington Elementary Archery Club donation: The Huntington Elementary Broncos Archery Team asked for help to attend the NASC World Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The team described recent placements at the Utah State Archery competition and Western Nationals and requested financial support for travel, lodging and registration. The council approved a $500 donation for the trip. The team’s spokesman and several students introduced themselves at the podium.

City recorder hire: Mayor Van Wagner of Casselldel — who conducted the interviews — recommended Brandy Wagner for the city recorder position. The council approved an offer to Brandy Wagner and instructed staff to contact her to finalize the hiring process.

City attorney retainer: The council approved paying $100 per month to retain outside city attorney services, which the attorney’s firm described as covering two hours of legal services per month at the firm’s discounted rate. The council noted the two hours do not roll over month-to-month and that prosecution services would continue to be provided by a different attorney.

Tentative budget: Council members accepted a tentative budget for fiscal year 2025–26 for publication and set a public hearing for final adoption next month. At the meeting the city presented the following figures: general fund revenue and expenses listed as $1,168,760; municipal building authority revenue/expenses $45,410; community reinvestment agency revenue/expenses $38,030; utility revenue $524,200 and expenses $538,556; secondary revenue $82,000 and expenses $43,000; perpetual care revenue and expenses each listed as $10,000. The capital project line item was shown as “30” (units not specified) and will be adjusted during the formal budget process.

Shelving/file-room bid: The council accepted a single bid to repair shelving that collapsed near the city office file room and to rebuild shelving in the room. The staff-presented bid was listed as $47.50 for materials and rebuilding; the council passed the measure. Council members confirmed the city will also acquire a safe to store important papers.

Credit-card limit: The council raised the limit on the city credit cards from the prior limit to $2,000 per card after a motion and second.

ARPA recreation funds letter: The council ratified sending a letter to Emery County to request available ARPA recreation funds (about $30,000, as the council discussed) to pay for portable board upgrades and a small pavilion at the rodeo grounds and to use any additional funds toward a future pickleball court capital project. The council reported the letter had been drafted and already sent; members approved keeping the request on file.

Audit committee: The council announced Devin Wilson will replace Judd Beagley as audit committee chair; Wilson accepted the assignment.

Votes at a glance - Rocky Mountain Home Sales business license — approved (motion: accept business license; mover: Lisa Miller; second: Tom Kaye). - Wild Bunch Bike Family business license — approved (motion: accept business license; mover: Lisa Miller; second: Judd Beagley). - Huntington Elementary Broncos Archery Team donation $500 — approved (motion to donate $500; mover: Leonard; second: Judd Beagley). - Hire Brandy Wagner as city recorder — approved (motion: offer position; mover: Judd Beagley; second: Tom Kaye). - City attorney retainer $100/month (first two hours included) — approved (motion to retain counsel and pay $100/month; mover: Tom Kaye; second: Lisa Miller). - Tentative FY 2025–26 budget — accepted for publication and public hearing (motion: accept tentative budget; mover: Judd Beagley; second: not specified). - File-room shelving repair bid (listed as $47.50 in bid documents) — approved (motion: accept bid; mover: Tom Kaye; second: Gloria Wilson). - Raise city credit-card limit to $2,000 — approved (motion: raise limit to $2,000; mover: Tom Kaye; second: Devin Wilson). - Letter to Emery County requesting ARPA recreation funds (~$30,000) — approved (motion: accept sending/filing letter; mover: not specified; second: Judd Beagley). - Audit committee chair appointment: Devin Wilson replacing Judd Beagley — announced and accepted (no roll-call vote recorded).

Why it matters: These votes set the city’s administrative personnel, short-term legal access, and tentative spending plan and allocate small capital and community-support funds. The approved retention and budget steps allow staff to continue work on capital projects, and the ARPA request seeks outside funds for recreation upgrades.

Next steps: The council will hold a public hearing on the formal budget next month and expects staff to follow up on the Highway 31 contractor negotiation and on finalizing the city recorder hire and any vendor contracts.