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HUNTINGTON OCCUPATIONAL TAX
Huntington City Council Votes To Repeal Occupational Tax

Reported by: Send eMail Darrah Wilcox
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Also Contributing: Mamie Buoy
Reported: Mar. 10, 2013 5:22 PM EDT
Updated: Mar. 13, 2013 8:25 PM EDT

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Huntington , Cabell County , West Virginia

After three years of questions and debates about the legality of Huntington's Occupation Tax, the battle is finally over.

During its meeting Monday night, Huntington City Council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance to repeal the tax.

Council members first approved the tax in August 2010 after heated public debates. Shortly after, the Cabell County Commission, Steel of West Virginia and other parties challenged its legality in Kanawha County court. The case is still pending and is not expected to be withdrawn until a decision is made by council.

Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for more information.




The occupation tax that's been a hot-button issue for years in Huntington could soon be a non-issue.

Huntington city council members first approved the occupational tax in August 2010 after heated public debates. Shortly after, the Cabell County commission, Steel of West Virginia, and other parties challenged its legality in Kanawha County court.

While the case is still in court, council members are moving forward to try to repeal the one percent tax.

Huntington resident Theron Coleman is happy to hear it could be repealed. "That means I can do more for my kids in the long run," he said.

Coleman has worked at New York Bagel Company for more than a year now, and said he's glad to hear he probably won't have more taken from his paycheck.

For a person making $30,000, the tax would have been $300 a year. That's nearly double the $156 a year for the current municipal fee.

Coleman said he counts every dollar he makes to provide for his family. "My kids are my everything. I work seven days a week as it is right now for my kids."

While it will mean less money coming in for the city of Huntington, many folks say it's the right thing to do.

Patrick Hughes and his wife spent many years in Huntington and now live in Ohio. His wife still works in Huntington. He said she'll be glad to continue to have that extra money in her paycheck.

"I'm glad the new mayor is doing something like that. I think he's going to be real good for the city and make other improvements," he said.

Council is expected to vote on the issue during their regularly-scheduled meeting tonight at 7:30.



City council members plan to vote on whether to repeal Huntington's 1 percent occupational tax. The proposal is currently tied up in court.

The council is expected to vote in favor of repealing the tax.



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