Huntington approves tentative $1.17 million FY2027 budget, votes to buy water shares

Huntington — The Huntington City Council on May 19 approved a tentative fiscal year 2027 budget totaling $1,165,140 in both revenues and expenditures and approved the purchase of water shares the city identified as necessary for future growth.

The budget as presented by staff allocates $286,350 to general government, $114,500 to public safety, $289,400 to highways and public improvements, $357,800 to parks and recreation, and $42,090 to debt service. The council also approved a $75,000 transfer into capital projects and identified two capital priorities: a $75,000 grant request for engineering at the Huntington Heritage Complex and $75,000 in parks funds proposed for a pickleball court.

"This is what we came up with after our budget workshop," the mayor said, summarizing staff figures and noting the tentative budget will be followed next month by formal public hearings where individual funds will be discussed separately.

Council members voted to approve the tentative budget to set the public-hearing stage. The vote carried on a council motion and second.

During the same meeting the council approved a motion to purchase water shares being reissued to a private seller (identified in the record as Mr. Robins) to secure water for future development. The seller’s asking price was described in the meeting as approximately "78-something thousand" dollars; the exact signed purchase price was not entered verbatim into the meeting record presented in the transcript.

Council members framed the water purchase as proactive: the mayor said the shares are intended "for future growth and development for Huntington City so that we have water for our citizens as we go forth." The council moved and approved the purchase on a motion and second.

What happens next: the tentative budget is set for formal public hearings next month, when the council will adopt final budgets and consider any adjustments. The water-share purchase will proceed consistent with the authorization given at the meeting and any contractual steps required by city policy.

Clarifying details: the meeting transcript lists the approximate general-fund totals and line-item amounts above. The exact final purchase price for the water shares was described verbally as "78 something thousand" during discussion; the dollar amount was not read into the record in full during the motion. The council stated the water shares are intended to support future municipal growth.