Huntington council awards annual rodeo contract, tables Highway 31 dispute and advances subdivision ordinance

Huntington City Council on April 15 voted to award the city's annual rodeo contract, tabled a disputed Highway 31 construction item while staff continues negotiations with the contractor, and agreed to place a revised land-management and subdivision ordinance on next month's agenda.

Council members reviewed three bids for the rodeo: a higher-priced bid identified in the record as "Broken Heart" (bid figures in the transcript vary around $16,0750'$16,500), Diamond H (Wayne Hibdon) at about $13,000'$14,000 with optional show elements, and Rocking Bee/Rex (referenced as Rex Malol/Brady Birmingham) with a list of staffing and feed requirements. Staff described each bid's livestock and staffing commitments, including counts for bull riding and other timed events. "They will bring us, 16 bulls each day, 10 barebacks each day, 10 saddle blocks each day," one council member summarized of a contractor's proposal.

Council members debated which contractor would attract more contestants and rough-stock riders, noting that some operators have closer ties to PRCA circuits and larger contestant followings. Several council members said the city should try a one-year contract with a new provider before offering a multiyear deal. After discussion a motion to award the contract was made and seconded; councilmembers cast aye votes and the motion passed. The meeting record contains inconsistent vendor naming: the recorded motion text references "Bridal Heart," while the presiding speaker subsequently said, "We'll go with broken heart this year on our rodeo bid." The discrepancy appears in the council transcript and will need clarification in the official minutes and vendor paperwork.

On land-use rules, staff and the city attorney reported legislative changes affecting subdivision standards and circulated an updated draft of the land-management and development code. The council voted to place a draft ordinance incorporating those updates on next month's agenda for formal consideration.

The Highway 31 project was discussed after a contractor presented additional charges the city disputes. The council voted to table final action on that project and directed staff to continue discussions with the contractor.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (approval of March 19, 2025 minutes and city financial claims): motion passed (mover: Tom K.; second: Devin Wilson). - Advance land-management/subdivision draft ordinance to next month: motion passed (mover: Judd Beagley; second: Lisa Miller). - Table Highway 31 contractor payment/dispute: motion passed (mover: Gloria Wilson; second: Judd Beagley). - Award rodeo contract (motion text recorded as awarding to "Bridal Heart"; transcript later references "Broken Heart"): motion passed (mover: recorded in transcript; second recorded; roll-call-style aye votes noted). The official vendor name requires confirmation due to inconsistent naming in the record.

The council also received regular departmental and council reports on parks, cemetery irrigation, cleanup operations and other seasonal maintenance. The meeting adjourned after a brief period of general business.

What happens next: The city will place the updated subdivision/land-management ordinance on the next council agenda for a possible first reading; staff will continue negotiations on the Highway 31 dispute and will finalize vendor paperwork for the rodeo contract after confirming the awarded provider's official name.