HURON — The Huron City Commission unanimously approved the independent auditor’s report and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as part of the meeting Monday evening.

Finance commissioner Bryan Smith thanked both Finance Director Paullyn Carey and ELO CPA’s and advisors for the work in preparing the records and doing the audit.

The meeting opened with a variance request filed by Donavon Smith at 2377 Firehouse Dr. to construct a six-foot fence on his property.

Commissioners heard from neighbors regarding the possible fence and any concerns with the fence. With no visibility issues cited, the fence was recommended for approval, and the commission followed that recommendation, voting unanimously to approve the fence.

Assistant engineer Dennis Bennett presented three pay requests for approval to the commission. The first was for Menning Excavating Inc. for water main work throughout the city in the amount of $350,565.14. The second request was from HK Solutions for sewer main lining work for $50,836.77. The final pay request was $75,140.89 to Midland Contracting Inc. for the work on Fourth Street reconstruction.

All three were approved.

Bennett noted that the Fourth Street reconstruction will enter its final phase of the 2024 calendar year in mid-October, when the newly constructed road up the hill will be opened and the road from Custer Ave. to the solid waste facility will be closed for a short time.

The commission approved a resolution speaking against Initiated Measure 28 on the November ballot, with the stated concern within the resolution that the city could potentially lose a significant portion of the two percent municipal sales tax that is levied if IM 28 were to pass. In 2023, that municipal tax brought in more than $9.5 million and a significant portion of that income could potentially no longer be taxed under the language in the proposed measure.

The Capital Asset Committee recommended purchase of a pump and motor for the community garden by Parks and Recreation. The cost would be $4,500. This was approved.

Finally, the commission set the date and approved the surplus items for the city surplus auction through Meyer Auction Services, with bidding to close on October 23.

Commissioners also:
- Approved updates to job descriptions in the finance office for finance director, deputy finance director, deputy accounting coordinator, executive secretary, accounting supervisor, and accounting technician.

- Approved the classification change for Kelly Sherman from executive secretary to interim deputy accounting coordinator.
- Approved the employment contract for Cody Maxwell as police officer.
- Renewed the joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey for the gaging station on the James River.

The commission adjourned from public meeting to hold an executive session regarding litigation and adjourned after a brief work session on the 2025 budget.