Huntington reviews proposed FY2026 budget, prioritizing parks, rodeo grounds and utility staffing

Huntington City officials met May 14 for a budget workshop to review the proposed fiscal 2026 spending plan and discuss capital and personnel priorities ahead of the public hearing next month.

City staff presented a general fund proposal that sets both revenues and expenses at $1,168,760 and outlined several potential capital projects, parks improvements and utility staffing changes that could affect that total. The discussion focused on rodeo grounds repairs and irrigation, a possible replacement vehicle for the shop, costs for two pickleball courts, ongoing loan payments through the city’s Municipal Building Authority and hiring seasonal workers for summer maintenance.

“There’s the general budget. I have it set at $1,000,168 and 700 — $1,168,760 for both revenue and expenses,” said Miss Dorey, staff member, while walking council members through the spreadsheet. Dorey said the figures shown include a revision column that will be updated before the budget public hearing next month.

Why it matters: the workshop set priorities that will shape the city’s fiscal 2026 request and determine which capital projects proceed. Several projects discussed — including rodeo-ground boards, pickleball courts and pavilion repairs — rely on outside grants or remaining capital balances, so decisions this summer will affect what can be built before next fiscal year.

Key budget items and discussion

General fund and salary questions: Staff confirmed the general fund proposal balances revenue and expenses at roughly $1.17 million. Council members asked about a cost-of-living raise; Dorey said the raise was “in there” but that exact figures would be reviewed when finalizing the budget. Wages for utilities staff are paid from the utility fund; the city confirmed that the recorder position is being rehired and interviews for the new recorder were scheduled for the coming week.

Parks, rodeo grounds and capital projects: Parks and rodeo items drew extended discussion. City staff said the rodeo operating line was reduced because lights and some one-time equipment were not needed this year. For the rodeo grounds, staff described a $9,600 bid to install four boards to remove the horseshoe pits and a plan to ask the county for part of $30,000 in ARPA recreation funding the county has made available to cities. The city has a bid of about $82,000 for two concrete pickleball courts; adding lights would cost roughly $10,000 more.

“We could actually go with a two-year-old truck with about 18,000 miles on it and get it for about $15,000 to $20,000 less,” Dorey said when describing options to replace an aging gray Dodge in the shop. Staff said a new truck budgeted at $72,000 could instead be replaced by a used vehicle priced between $52,000 and $58,000 depending on availability.

Pavilion and restroom work: Staff reported a pending parks capital invoice for concrete work of $16,030 that has not yet been paid. They also described plans to etch and de-skid concrete at a pavilion and test a chemical to remove hard-water stains from metal beams; a small test patch is planned before full work is priced.

Municipal Building Authority loans and CRA: Dorey reviewed debt-service payments that flow through the Municipal Building Authority (MBA). She said the city’s loan payments for the coming fiscal year total about $41,410 and cover projects including the fire station, parks and a restroom building. The Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) receipts were also discussed; staff set CRA revenues and expenditures at about $38,300.

Grants and applications: Staff discussed pursuing multiple grants and low-interest loans, including applying to the county’s ARPA recreation allocation and to state programs such as the Community Impact Board (CIB). Christine Watkins, identified by staff as the city’s liaison for grant work, was named as the point of contact for grant coordination and follow-up with applicants and funders.

Fire department and grants: Fire operating-supply and maintenance lines were shown to decline from prior years because several costs the department incurred previously were covered by grants (fire wildland and other grant awards). Council members asked whether additional grants were pending and whether operating lines should be adjusted if new grants are awarded.

Cemetery operations: Staff noted cemetery wages and benefits — $42,000 and $33,000 respectively — reflect shared staffing: multiple employees perform cemetery duties in part-time allocations. Council members suggested increased signage and cleanup along the cemetery’s west fence and discussed adding rock or ground cover in an area currently dirt.

Utility fund and staffing: Utilities (culinary water, secondary water, sewer and sanitation) were reviewed separately. Staff said utility salaries and benefits cover several employees whose compensation is charged to those funds. The city reported hiring three seasonal workers — David Billings, Talon Kinder and Dom Torrey — to support watering and parks work. Dorey said two will be assigned primarily to watering and one to parks and cemetery maintenance.

Old city hall and facility disposition: Council members discussed plans to clean and evaluate the old city hall building next year, with the possibility of renting the space once the city determines what furnishings and equipment remain. Staff recommended removing or relocating a piano and noted windows and bathroom stalls will need attention if the building is rented.

Next steps and procedural notes: Dorey said the budget will be revised and posted for the public hearing next month, at which time final adjustments and the city’s fiscal 2026 budget will be set. The workshop ended with a motion to adjourn; a voice vote closed the meeting.

Ending: Staff will revise the draft budget for the public hearing, check outstanding capital invoices (including the parks concrete bill) and continue grant outreach for recreation funding before the council’s next meeting.