Public Hearing Held on Proposed Weekly User Fee Increase

Last night, the City of Huntington Finance Committee held a public hearing on the proposed increase in the so-called "user fee." The fee, which is collected from anyone employed within the city, would increase April 1, 2009, from $2 to $3 per week. All members of the City Council attended the public hearing. I attended and spoke in favor of the increase, and there were others who spoke positively. There were others who spoke against the increase. It was a good exercise in democracy.

We certainly understand the concerns and frustrations of the folks who oppose the fee. It is obvious adequate funding is currently unavailable to operate our city, which has slowly, but surely, been allowed to physically deteriorate over the last fifty years. Personally, I would like to see the elimination of all "nuisance" fees replaced by a local option sales tax of one (1%) percent on everything but groceries and medicines. This will take action on the part of the West Virginia State Legislature. In the meantime, we are left to our own devices.

In order to showcase the many quality-of-life assets we offer to residents and visitors, we must present a safe, clean and well-maintained city. Our hope is that each Huntington resident will become engaged in the mission to make our city the most desirable place to live in West Virginia.