Huntington council approves putting transit levy to May 12 vote after residents press for action

Huntington City Council voted on Feb. 27 to approve Ordinance 2026-0-06, which will submit to voters in Cabell and Wayne counties an authorization for additional local levies to support the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) and continue bus service to Huntington. The ordinance will appear on the May 12, 2026 primary ballot.

Mayor Paul Farrell told the council that the TTA board met and that the Federal Transit Administration had returned a list of concerns, prompting staff and TTA to amend documents. "They worked feverishly," the mayor said, crediting Paul Davis and others for revising the paperwork so the city and TTA could agree on a workable solution and move the levy forward.

The council recorded a motion to adopt the ordinance, which the record identifies as moved by Ali Layman and seconded by Holly Smith (Mount). After a roll call the chair announced the ordinance was approved; the roll-call sequence on the record shows affirmative votes and one absence (Walling absent).

Why it matters: The levy would authorize additional local funding intended to preserve TTA bus service, which speakers at the meeting said is essential for commuters, students and residents without cars. Many residents told the council they rely on TTA to reach work, medical appointments and shopping, and urged members to put the question to voters without further delay.

Public comment was lengthy and strongly supportive. Riders described TTA as their only reliable transportation; one speaker said losing service would force them to move out of state. Several commenters contrasted low local fares with the high cost of alternatives (for example, one speaker cited $16 or more for alternatives) to underline the levy’s local impact.

Some speakers urged greater transparency about related agreements involving Pullman Square. Multiple commenters said they were relieved the levy was going forward but asked for details about documents the city and TTA had negotiated — including whether funds or transfers to Pullman Square were part of the agreements. Monty Fowler asked whether any council members had read the documents to be signed and whether a reported $1,000,000 transfer to Pullman Square was included. Angela Harshberger accused the city of holding an essential service "hostage" while negotiations over Pullman Square proceeded and asked for cost estimates and audits.

The council and mayor repeatedly framed the measure as a way to protect the long-term viability of TTA and to keep the levy language unchanged for the spring ballot. Mayor Farrell said the next step was to finalize the executed documents and file the ordinance so the question appears to voters on May 12, 2026.

On procedure: Clerk Atkins read submitted letters and the roll call before the chair announced approval. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

What’s next: With the ordinance approved for placement on the ballot, Huntington voters in Cabell and Wayne counties will decide on the levy at the May 12, 2026 primary. The council did not record a separate public vote count in the spoken record other than the affirmative roll-call confirmations and the chair’s announcement that the ordinance was approved.

(Quoted speakers are identified as in the meeting record.)