For HNN by Art Harvath
Council Votes to Cut $1.3 Million from City Budget
Police officers and fire fighters turn out en masse
Over 50 police and firemen turned out to voice their concerns about layoffs as the city council discussed the deficit Monday night during a regularly scheduled council meeting.
A resolution by Tom McCallister to reduce the 2001-2002 budget by 7% was amended to a budget cut of $1.3 million. Mayor David Felinton has until March 1st to present to council his budget cut plan. The resolution does not require across the board cuts.
The actual deficit for the current year is over $2.2 million, but state law will allow a $900,000 deficit in the general fund. This must be made up in the 2002-2003 budget.
Councilman Cal Kent cited a downturn in collection of B&O taxes and an increase in the Police Pension Fund payments by the city as two reasons for the deficit.
Representatives speaking in behalf of the police and firemen disagree with the council concerning the pension funds being part of the deficit problem, saying the city has known for a long time the circumstances concerning the funds and chose not to deal with it.
Erstwhile Mayor Jean Dean
Former Mayor Jean Dean spoke and said that the city must raise the municipal fees sometime in the next 3 years.
In other action council approved an ordinance for the purchase of 2 chopper pumping systems at a cost of $25,411. A hate crime ordinance was postponed until the first meeting in April.
A motion to bring from the table the renaming of the Jean Dean Public Safety Building was defeated 9-2.
Council member Mary Neely was appointed to the Tri-State Transit Authority Board. Betty Wolford was appointed to the Charter Review Board.
Jack Thornburgh was appointed to the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority and Antonio Simental was appointed to the Huntington Planning Commission.
Hazel Parker was honored by the Mayor and Council Monday night. Ms. Parker died February 22. She was active on various boards and committees, and was a regular at most council meetings.
“Hazel was as a citizen should be,” said Mayor Felinton, “it takes people like Hazel to have a healthy democracy.”
Councilman Dick Thompson
Councilman Jim Insco
