HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Huntington City Council voted Monday against a proposal that would have used the city’s Rainy Day Fund to fix the city’s budget problems.
The council voted 9-2. If the proposal was approved, the gap would have decreased from $2.2 million to more than $120,000.
Huntington’s budget problems are connected to rising health care and pension costs, as well as department overspending.
In order to curtail the deficit, Huntington may have to cut up to 40 positions. Last month, 24 people with the city’s police and fire departments were fired. Nonessential spending and all hiring were also frozen.
Prior to the meeting, a crowd organized outside of City Hall in support of the departments.
Huntington Mayor Steve Williams will give a State of the City address Wednesday.