Huntington plans presentation as part of home rule program

HUNTINGTON — Tearing down dilapidated housing, strengthening the collection of delinquent fees and revamping the tax structure will be the focus of a presentation that Huntington officials will deliver to a state panel Tuesday.

The presentation, which will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday in City Council chambers at City Hall, is the next step in Huntington’s application process to become a participant in a five-year, home rule pilot program. The presentation is open to the public.

Huntington's plan asks the panel to give the city authority to create a land bank; change state law to allow cities to capture fire insurance claim proceeds; strengthen ordinances to collect delinquent fees; and overhaul its tax structure by implementing a sales tax and/or occupation tax and repealing the $2-a-week user fee and reducing the business and occupation tax.

Currently, state law limits local governments on taxation and other administrative and personnel issues. Home rule creates autonomy on the local level and limits state interference.

Huntington is one of four cities that has applied for the home rule program. Charleston, Wheeling and Bridgeport also have applied. The state panel could choose all four cities for the pilot program. The selection process must be completed by June 30, according to state law.

Delegate Jim Morgan, D-Cabell and a member of the state home rule panel, noted that the panel’s approval of a city’s plan does not mean the proposals are effective. Cities must then enact local ordinances, he said.

The state panel already has heard presentations from Charleston and Wheeling.

When Huntington officials are finished making their presentation, panel members and the public will be able to ask questions, Morgan said.

Also on the panel are Sen. Ed Bowman, D-Hancock; Wheeling Mayor Nick Sparachane; Jon Amores, deputy secretary of commerce; Martinsburg resident Floyd McKinley Sayre, who serves as the Business and Industry Council's representative; and Brian Jones of Morgantown, the representative for the AFL-CIO.