HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Huntington Mayor Steve Williams says it’s his job to make sure budget issues in the city are resolved without laying off employees.
“Nobody needs to look anywhere other than directly at me to make sure that, not only we fix it, but we make sure that it doesn’t happen again,” Williams said on Tuesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
The city is struggling to come up with money after both the police and fire departments went over their budgets. Rising health costs and increasing pension payments are also to blame.
Williams said he has been pressing the departments to find areas they can cut from their budgets. He told City Council Monday night he has asked both departments for additional budget cuts.
“When you have a department that is overspending its budget, then you hold them accountable,” he said.
The police department is $400,000 over budget. The fire department is projected to have a $1.2 million deficit.
It’s an “ugly” situation, Williams said.
“We’ve got some series issues,” he said. “I’m trying my best to avoid layoffs, so that we don’t have a disruption or a reduction of safety.”
Williams told City Council he also does not want to raise fees to support both departments.
Huntington City Council will meet to discuss the issue Feb. 6.