The Huntington City Council voted Friday during a special meeting to place a levy supporting the Tri-State Transit Authority.(TTA) on the May primary election ballot.
The ordinance would allow voters to decide whether to continue funding bus service in the region. Residents have approved levies supporting TTA operations and assets for decades.
In recent months, debate has centered on maintenance costs associated with Pullman Square, the downtown retail and entertainment complex. Pullman Square has previously received support from TTA, and city leaders have discussed reinvesting in the property through repairs and improvements.
As Huntington works to manage its lease agreement tied to the property, officials have also considered the possibility of selling or transferring Pullman Square to private ownership.
An earlier proposal to amend TTA’s lease arrangement involving contributions to Pullman Square was tabled after questions arose about federal oversight. The Federal Transit Administration reviewed the matter and provided the city with guidance and a list of considerations.
Council members expressed appreciation to the FTA, TTA officials and city staff for working through the issue. Several residents who spoke at Friday’s meeting voiced strong support for maintaining public transportation funding, though some criticized the delays and controversy surrounding the process.
The levy question will now go before Huntington voters in the May primary election.