Huntington adopts FY2025 budget adjustments after public hearing

Huntington — The Huntington City Council on Feb. 19 adopted Resolution 2-2025 to adjust the city's fiscal-year 2025 budget after a public hearing on newly identified grant revenues and program needs.

Ronnie Tory, who explained the proposed changes during the hearing, said the adjustments reflect grants and related expense increases. "The revenue and expenses are increasing," he said, and spelled out department-level changes: general government from $283,200 to $287,850; public safety from $93,000 to $130,600; parks and recreation from $282,734 to $379,550. He also said capital projects were reduced because planned basketball and pickleball work will be deferred; capital projects funding will drop from $153,500 to $110,168. Utility fund revenue was adjusted from $502,600 to $529,200, with expenses rising slightly from $523,500 to $525,200. Tory said the perpetual-care fund revenue and expenses were reduced from $58,000 to $56,668 when an anticipated $50,000 repair draw did not occur in full.

Councilmember Tom Kaye moved to adopt the resolution and Todd Judd seconded. Roll-call votes recorded during the meeting show affirmative votes from multiple council members and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The adjustments align the city's adopted budget with newly available grant funds and shifting priorities, boosting public safety and parks spending while trimming capital projects that are postponed. The resolution authorizes staff to implement the revised budget figures for FY2025.

Next steps: With the resolution approved, staff will update financial reports and proceed with the budgeted work that has funding. Council members and staff reiterated the need to monitor expenditures and bring further changes back to the council if additional grants or revisions occur.

At the meeting: The public hearing on the budget was opened and closed during the Feb. 19 session; the council adopted the resolution at the same meeting.