BY WHITNEY BURDETTE
The Parthenon
For city employees, the Huntington budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 could mean layoffs and cuts in their departments’ budgets. Despite the recent approval of the 1 percent occupation tax, the city’s budget remains unchanged, meaning the city’s economic future still looks bleak.
Deron Runyon, director of finance for the city, said Council members don’t want to count on money that they have not yet received.
“It has been approved and is expected start July 1, but there is still the issue that this has never happened before and is new to West Virginia,” Runyon said of the controversial tax. “Because of the potential for court action, we did not budget any of those revenues in our budget.”
Runyon said revenues collected from the occupation tax will not fund things such as payroll or employee benefits. Instead, the money will be used for one-time capital projects such as public works or paving.
“It’s not going to be used for more police, more fire, more administrative employees,” Runyon said. “That’s why it was not budgeted."
Although the tax is controversial, members of City Council said the city cannot provide services without the additional revenue.
“If the city has no money, we can’t fix potholes,” said Councilwoman Sandra Clements after February’s State of the City address. “Nobody wants more taxes, but in order to have services, you have to pay taxes.”
The final budget stands at $39.8 million without grants, which is consistent with the past three fiscal year budgets. About $4.6 million of that comes from the city service fee, also known as the user fee. The occupation tax will replace the weekly $3 fee.
Runyon said City Council wanted to increase the paving budget, so Council asked several departments, including police and fire, to decrease their budgets so the paving budget could increase. The police department receives about 27 percent of city revenues while the fire department receives about 26 percent, according to the budget. The street department only receives 4 percent.
“We submitted a $600,000 budget for paving and they wanted something closer to $1 million in paving,” Runyon said. “That was one of the reasons we had to go back and pull money from each department.”
Although each department requests funds based on its needs, City Council has the final say in the budget and can move money, cut budgets and eliminate positions.
The city has cut positions in a few departments because of budget concerns.
“With administration and public works, we reduced six or seven positions,” Runyon said. “Three of those have happened already, and more are expected to happen.”
Runyon did not specify whether those cuts were permanent.
Although the police department has seen a budget cut, it will not have to eliminate any positions, Runyon said. The fire department wanted to fill four vacant positions July 1 but will have to wait until January. Runyon said three retiring firefighters have to take a slightly lesser payout because of budget constraints.
“When they leave, they get some money for vacation and sick time and things like that,” Runyon said.
The typical payout for retirees is around $50,000. Runyon said the finance committee analyzed the specific retirees to determine their individual payouts.
Runyon said the city must also consider the rise and fall of utility prices throughout the fiscal year.
“This year, fuel costs were probably budgeted a little low,” Runyon said. “Utilities have gone up in some areas, so we have to make some adjustments for the current year.”
Runyon said cutting budgets is nothing new. If expenses exceed revenue, the committee looks at department budgets to see where it can make cuts.
“Everyone always asks for a bit more than we can give them, unfortunately,” Runyon said.
Mar 30, 2011
Police, fire departments unfazed by budget changes
By Whitney Burdette
The Parthenon
Huntington’s two largest departments are unaffected by changes to their budgets after giving up several hundred thousand dollars to the paving fund.
Both the city’s police and fire departments gave up almost $200,000 after members of City Council decided to increase the funds for street paving, said Deron Runyon, director of finance for the City of Huntington.
“Each department is affected differently,” Runyon said. “Police and fire are completely different in the things they do, and their budgets are different because of that.”
Police Chief Skip Holbrook said the $134,000 cut in funding does not impede police service.
“It does not interfere with our services,” Holbrook said. “It takes us right to the edge before it does affect a position or service.”
Runyon said the police department has not eliminated any positions, but it must rely on grant money to supplement its account. This includes money from Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Agency and DARE, among others.
These grants allow the police department to move money among accounts, Holbrook said.
“We felt comfortable enough to move some money from specific items and that will allow us to come up with the money,” he said.
He also said the department will refrain from vacant positions. The fire department will also hold off on filling vacant positions until January, Runyon said.
Although each department requests a specific amount of money based on its needs, City Council has the ultimate authority to decide the final budget.
“They approve it at a departmental level,” Runyon said. “They make the ultimate decision.”
Mar 28, 2011
City Council Meeting or Circus?
I didn't preview this meeting, but nothing would have quite prepared me for the circus that was Monday's City Council meeting. At the start of the meeting, two citizens aired their concerns before Council. One man, Mr. Pyles, was quite angry about a number of things. He began by berating Council on the occupation tax, saying West Virginians are "overtaxed." He then began talking about drug use, saying he saw many of his family members die because of drug use. He went over his allotted time, prompting Councilman Mark Bates to bang his gavel several times and shouting to Mr. Pyles that his time had expired.
Tom McCallister, who speaks at almost all City Council meetings, also expressed concern that council members had not made him aware of a Sanitary Board meeting after he had asked to attend. He is concerned taxpayer money is being misspent. Later during the meeting, the council discussed an increase in filing fees that would require new businesses to pay $75 for building inspections instead of the current $15. McCallister expressed concern, saying the increased fee coupled with the occupation tax would deter businesses from locating in Huntington. He was so angry he left the meeting.
Pyles again blew up when the issue of new police surveillance cameras was discussed. The police department and council want to purchase four new cameras to monitor possible criminal activity, mainly in Sandra Clements' district. Pyles became very angry, accusing Council of spying on Huntington residents. He called surveillance cameras "unethical." He then proceeded to tell Council they should concentrate more on rehabilitating drug addicts in the city and spreading the Gospel. He was also concerned that students at Huntington High are taught evolution. Several council members began to question Pyles' point, which led to an exchange between Pyles and Councilman Ritter. Pyles called Council a group of "thieves and liars," and Ritter asked Pyles if he wanted to "take it outside." Bates called down Ritter, who said he didn't appreciate being called a thief.
Despite the silliness, Council did get through its agenda and make some decisions. I covered City of Huntington for The Parthenon and attended a few Council meetings, but this was by far the least boring. McCallister usually makes an appearance to air some concern, so his ridicule of Council was nothing new. I don't ever remember him being so angry that he left before the meeting was half over, though. I've never seen Pyles, and I'm sure Council never wants to see him again. However, he promised he would return just to remind Council how angry he is with them. Here's the kicker: Pyles is from Barboursville. I may attend the next Council meeting just to see if Pyles does return and what the mood is like. I'm sure it will be very entertaining.
Tom McCallister, who speaks at almost all City Council meetings, also expressed concern that council members had not made him aware of a Sanitary Board meeting after he had asked to attend. He is concerned taxpayer money is being misspent. Later during the meeting, the council discussed an increase in filing fees that would require new businesses to pay $75 for building inspections instead of the current $15. McCallister expressed concern, saying the increased fee coupled with the occupation tax would deter businesses from locating in Huntington. He was so angry he left the meeting.
Pyles again blew up when the issue of new police surveillance cameras was discussed. The police department and council want to purchase four new cameras to monitor possible criminal activity, mainly in Sandra Clements' district. Pyles became very angry, accusing Council of spying on Huntington residents. He called surveillance cameras "unethical." He then proceeded to tell Council they should concentrate more on rehabilitating drug addicts in the city and spreading the Gospel. He was also concerned that students at Huntington High are taught evolution. Several council members began to question Pyles' point, which led to an exchange between Pyles and Councilman Ritter. Pyles called Council a group of "thieves and liars," and Ritter asked Pyles if he wanted to "take it outside." Bates called down Ritter, who said he didn't appreciate being called a thief.
Despite the silliness, Council did get through its agenda and make some decisions. I covered City of Huntington for The Parthenon and attended a few Council meetings, but this was by far the least boring. McCallister usually makes an appearance to air some concern, so his ridicule of Council was nothing new. I don't ever remember him being so angry that he left before the meeting was half over, though. I've never seen Pyles, and I'm sure Council never wants to see him again. However, he promised he would return just to remind Council how angry he is with them. Here's the kicker: Pyles is from Barboursville. I may attend the next Council meeting just to see if Pyles does return and what the mood is like. I'm sure it will be very entertaining.
Mar 23, 2011
Cedar Grove Council Meeting
I went to a very short council meeting last night. They really didn't talk about much, and two of the five members were absent. A copy of the agenda was not made available, but I did get a copy of the minutes. One thing the council talked about was paying the town's bills. I don't ever remember the Huntington City Council talking in a meeting about paying bills, so I found this interesting. They didn't specify what bills they were paying.
Another thing they talked about was the Small Cities Block Grant. The town is hoping to get some money from this grant, so council accepted a resolution to submit an application to the Small Cities Community Development Block Planning Grant. They applied for a similar grant a few years ago that allowed the town to replace old, worn-down playground equipment. They've been talking in recent years about adding more to the playground, so if the application is accepted and the grant awarded, this may be where that money goes.
Most of the equipment members of the town crew use are beginning to show their age, including the garbage truck. The mayor, James Hudnall, said he has been working with members of the House of Delegates to procure money for a new garbage truck. The "meth bill" proposed in the legislature in the most recent session was also discussed. Hudnall said he attended a meeting at the Kanawha Co. Sheriff's Office to show his support for the bill. Unfortunately, many meth labs have been discovered and dismantled in the Cedar Grove area over the past few years. This bill before the legislature would have made medicines with pseudophedrine, a key ingredient in meth, harder to get. However, the bill did not pass.
It was interesting to compare a small city council meeting to that of a larger city. The problems facing Cedar Grove are very different from the problems facing Huntington. The way the two cities communicate with residents is also very different. For example, I've never heard of Cedar Grove's council holding budget hearings open to the public. If they do hold these meetings, I've never heard about them. Cedar Grove also does not have a website of any kind, so finding out how to contact members of council or the mayor is a little harder than it is in Huntington. However, because Cedar Grove is so small, everyone knows everyone else so contacting our representatives is not difficult.
Another thing they talked about was the Small Cities Block Grant. The town is hoping to get some money from this grant, so council accepted a resolution to submit an application to the Small Cities Community Development Block Planning Grant. They applied for a similar grant a few years ago that allowed the town to replace old, worn-down playground equipment. They've been talking in recent years about adding more to the playground, so if the application is accepted and the grant awarded, this may be where that money goes.
Most of the equipment members of the town crew use are beginning to show their age, including the garbage truck. The mayor, James Hudnall, said he has been working with members of the House of Delegates to procure money for a new garbage truck. The "meth bill" proposed in the legislature in the most recent session was also discussed. Hudnall said he attended a meeting at the Kanawha Co. Sheriff's Office to show his support for the bill. Unfortunately, many meth labs have been discovered and dismantled in the Cedar Grove area over the past few years. This bill before the legislature would have made medicines with pseudophedrine, a key ingredient in meth, harder to get. However, the bill did not pass.
It was interesting to compare a small city council meeting to that of a larger city. The problems facing Cedar Grove are very different from the problems facing Huntington. The way the two cities communicate with residents is also very different. For example, I've never heard of Cedar Grove's council holding budget hearings open to the public. If they do hold these meetings, I've never heard about them. Cedar Grove also does not have a website of any kind, so finding out how to contact members of council or the mayor is a little harder than it is in Huntington. However, because Cedar Grove is so small, everyone knows everyone else so contacting our representatives is not difficult.
Mar 22, 2011
Preview: Cedar Grove Council Meeting
I'm going to the Cedar Grove Council Meeting tonight. I live in a very small town and the city does not have a website or any way of communicating an agenda, so I have no idea what they will discuss.
Mar 3, 2011
Non-profit journalism
Non-profit organizations are important to society and journalists have an obligation to report on them. Unfortunately, this beat is often neglected so the public must research these organizations themselves or go uninformed. Many members of the public donate time or money to a variety of non-profits ranging from animal abuse organizations to churches or synagogues. It is important for the public to know how and where their money is being spent. It is up to the reporter to disclose this information. Luckily, we have organizations such as Guidestar to make this easier.
The Huntington Area Food Bank is an affiliate of the United Way of the River Cities and has been since 1984. According to 2009 tax returns, HAFB had a revenue of $4,499,577 and expenses of $4,397,399. The organization has assets totaling $637,665 in 2008. In 2009, the assets totaled $739,848, an increase of 13 percent. The director, Jon H. Rickey, is the only paid staff at HAFB. His salary in 2009 was $33,389.
HAFB is located at 1327 Seventh Ave., Huntington. The phone number is 304-523-6029 and the website is www.hafb.org.
HAFB makes available on the website its IRS 990 Form.
EDIT: Rickey was the director of HAFB in 2009. The current director is Leigh Anne Zappin. She is not mentioned on the 2009 tax return.
The Huntington Area Food Bank is an affiliate of the United Way of the River Cities and has been since 1984. According to 2009 tax returns, HAFB had a revenue of $4,499,577 and expenses of $4,397,399. The organization has assets totaling $637,665 in 2008. In 2009, the assets totaled $739,848, an increase of 13 percent. The director, Jon H. Rickey, is the only paid staff at HAFB. His salary in 2009 was $33,389.
HAFB is located at 1327 Seventh Ave., Huntington. The phone number is 304-523-6029 and the website is www.hafb.org.
HAFB makes available on the website its IRS 990 Form.
EDIT: Rickey was the director of HAFB in 2009. The current director is Leigh Anne Zappin. She is not mentioned on the 2009 tax return.
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