April 26, 2010
Huntington City Council Plans Hearing Public Input on First Reading of Occupation Tax
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Normally, rules of Huntington City Council do not allow public comment on the first reading of an ordinance unless a procedural matter replaces the merits. Monday, April 26 will be an exception, according to council chairman Jim Insco.
Speaking to HNN by phone late Sunday evening, Insco anticipates that one or more council members will be in favor of “waiving the rule” to allow open public comment on the occupation tax. In fact, if no one does so, he will himself make the motion to waive the rules.
Although speaking for himself, Insco believes council members will be happy to sit and listen to public input on the proposal.
During the Friday, April 23 work session, at large councilman Steve Williams told the legislative body “enough had been said” on the proposal and he anticipated an outpouring of statements at the Monday meeting.
On Thursday, April 22 the Finance Committee voted 5-0 to move the occupation tax to the full council without either a positive or negative recommendation. (Earlier, we corrected a 4-1 vote report by explaining that the “no” had been a “call” for votes , rather than an actual decision. A roll call was not taken.)
As now proposed, the occupation tax proposal likely will see discussion on both exemptions and amendments at the Monday meeting. Williams has also directed City Attorney Scott McClure to draft ordinances for the April 30 Finance Committee meeting that would reduce the municipal service fee and also eliminate the business and occupation tax on manufacturing.
Insco told HNN that most of his input has come through emails and nearly all do not support the tax.
Personally, Insco indicated that he had not made up his mind on the proposal, though he leans in favor of the reform package.
He praised the passionate speakers for stating their feelings yet maintaining a professional decorum.
Contrary to the beliefs of some, council members have feelings too. They are more attentive to input that comes in sincere and respectful tones that avoid accusations and name callings.
As Insco stated, we were elected to make the hard decisions for the people.
Following the work session, HNN asked Mayor Kim Wolfe his opinion on the tax reform package versus the administration submitted occupation tax. Wolfe indicated he had no objection(s) to the reform package and/or suggested amendments, suggesting the administration has been closely working with council on all proposals.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. It is televised on Comcast Channel 24.
THE REST OF THE AGENDA
While the occupation tax likely will predominate the agenda, council will be voting on rescinding the home rule adopted plan of withholding a portion of insurance proceeds for debris removal of burned structures. The WV legislature adopted a measure during its session, which makes this ordinance no longer necessary. In addition, by rescinding, a law suit by the insurance federation will become moot.
Two ordinances pertain to purchases by the Huntington Sanitary Board. The funds will come from the WV-DEP, due to an under bid on an expansion project.
The administration is also requesting that council support a pending House of Representatives bill that would assist in the regeneration of communities which have lost much of their manufacturing base.
“We will be a prime candidate for these funds, “Brandi Jacobs-Jones, director of finance and administration stated, adding that Rep. Nick Rahall signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Shelly Moore-Capito (R-WV) after the Wolfe Administration visited D.C.
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Huntington City Council Plans Hearing Public Input on First Reading of Occupation Tax
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Normally, rules of Huntington City Council do not allow public comment on the first reading of an ordinance unless a procedural matter replaces the merits. Monday, April 26 will be an exception, according to council chairman Jim Insco.
Speaking to HNN by phone late Sunday evening, Insco anticipates that one or more council members will be in favor of “waiving the rule” to allow open public comment on the occupation tax. In fact, if no one does so, he will himself make the motion to waive the rules.
Although speaking for himself, Insco believes council members will be happy to sit and listen to public input on the proposal.
During the Friday, April 23 work session, at large councilman Steve Williams told the legislative body “enough had been said” on the proposal and he anticipated an outpouring of statements at the Monday meeting.
On Thursday, April 22 the Finance Committee voted 5-0 to move the occupation tax to the full council without either a positive or negative recommendation. (Earlier, we corrected a 4-1 vote report by explaining that the “no” had been a “call” for votes , rather than an actual decision. A roll call was not taken.)
As now proposed, the occupation tax proposal likely will see discussion on both exemptions and amendments at the Monday meeting. Williams has also directed City Attorney Scott McClure to draft ordinances for the April 30 Finance Committee meeting that would reduce the municipal service fee and also eliminate the business and occupation tax on manufacturing.
Insco told HNN that most of his input has come through emails and nearly all do not support the tax.
Personally, Insco indicated that he had not made up his mind on the proposal, though he leans in favor of the reform package.
He praised the passionate speakers for stating their feelings yet maintaining a professional decorum.
Contrary to the beliefs of some, council members have feelings too. They are more attentive to input that comes in sincere and respectful tones that avoid accusations and name callings.
As Insco stated, we were elected to make the hard decisions for the people.
Following the work session, HNN asked Mayor Kim Wolfe his opinion on the tax reform package versus the administration submitted occupation tax. Wolfe indicated he had no objection(s) to the reform package and/or suggested amendments, suggesting the administration has been closely working with council on all proposals.
The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. It is televised on Comcast Channel 24.
THE REST OF THE AGENDA
While the occupation tax likely will predominate the agenda, council will be voting on rescinding the home rule adopted plan of withholding a portion of insurance proceeds for debris removal of burned structures. The WV legislature adopted a measure during its session, which makes this ordinance no longer necessary. In addition, by rescinding, a law suit by the insurance federation will become moot.
Two ordinances pertain to purchases by the Huntington Sanitary Board. The funds will come from the WV-DEP, due to an under bid on an expansion project.
The administration is also requesting that council support a pending House of Representatives bill that would assist in the regeneration of communities which have lost much of their manufacturing base.
“We will be a prime candidate for these funds, “Brandi Jacobs-Jones, director of finance and administration stated, adding that Rep. Nick Rahall signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Shelly Moore-Capito (R-WV) after the Wolfe Administration visited D.C.
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