April 14, 2010
Finance Committee Public Hearing Wednesday
Mayor to Propose Occupation Tax
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington City Council’s Finance Committee will meet today, Wednesday, April 14, at 5:15 p.m. in council chambers at Huntington City Hall.
This will be the first of two public hearings on a proposed one percent city occupation tax, which will cover the budget shortfalls that otherwise mean 20 day furloughs for most city employees. Huntington City Council previously exempted the police and fire departments.
According to tentative schedules, a second hearing may be Thursday, April 22 at 5:15 p.m. The matter could have a first reading before Huntington City Council as early as Monday, April 26.
Previously, Mayor Kim Wolfe has indicated that he will support a one percent occupation tax. The action does not come as a surprise as administration and some council members have nodded approval , at least, for the proposal.
Huntington has authority to enact the tax under the state’s pilot Home Rule program. Council Finance Committee Chairman Steve Williams and others have previously stated that the city must be prepared for a constitutional challenge of its authority. Council , in fact, held first reading of an ordinance, Monday, April 12, which would repeal the partial withholding of insurance proceeds on burned structures. The issue has been challenged in court, but the state legislature passed a similar law which has been signed by the governor. Repealing Huntington’s insurance proceeds procedure would moot the litigation.
Under the home rule proposal, the City of Huntington must remove the $3 per week user fee, if the occupation tax is enacted. An occupation tax is made on wages, salaries or commissions.
While the one percent would be withheld from paychecks, the first $10,000 would be exempt.
The public is invited to attend and express their opinion(s).
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Finance Committee Public Hearing Wednesday
Mayor to Propose Occupation Tax
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington City Council’s Finance Committee will meet today, Wednesday, April 14, at 5:15 p.m. in council chambers at Huntington City Hall.
This will be the first of two public hearings on a proposed one percent city occupation tax, which will cover the budget shortfalls that otherwise mean 20 day furloughs for most city employees. Huntington City Council previously exempted the police and fire departments.
According to tentative schedules, a second hearing may be Thursday, April 22 at 5:15 p.m. The matter could have a first reading before Huntington City Council as early as Monday, April 26.
Previously, Mayor Kim Wolfe has indicated that he will support a one percent occupation tax. The action does not come as a surprise as administration and some council members have nodded approval , at least, for the proposal.
Huntington has authority to enact the tax under the state’s pilot Home Rule program. Council Finance Committee Chairman Steve Williams and others have previously stated that the city must be prepared for a constitutional challenge of its authority. Council , in fact, held first reading of an ordinance, Monday, April 12, which would repeal the partial withholding of insurance proceeds on burned structures. The issue has been challenged in court, but the state legislature passed a similar law which has been signed by the governor. Repealing Huntington’s insurance proceeds procedure would moot the litigation.
Under the home rule proposal, the City of Huntington must remove the $3 per week user fee, if the occupation tax is enacted. An occupation tax is made on wages, salaries or commissions.
While the one percent would be withheld from paychecks, the first $10,000 would be exempt.
The public is invited to attend and express their opinion(s).
Share This Story:
Make HNN Your Homepage (IE Users Only)
