HUNTINGTON — Huntington Mayor Richard Strick echoed a famous quote from John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address in his own State of the City address, challenging the city of Huntington to create a better future for generations to come in 2026.
“I thank you for joining me in our work, because our lives and the future of our city depend on it,” Strick said. “Let us take up that work of serving alongside one another as we seek to make Huntington the city we are all proud to call home.”
Strick said his trips to the statehouse have been a great learning opportunity, but he then harped on potential raises in property and income tax with statehouse regulations under Senate Enrolled Act 1.
Strick said the final legislation provides minimal protection for homeowners and replaces the county-level income tax system.
“We have a lot of work to do in the meantime,” Strick said. “It will take all of us working together across local units of government to limit the damage to our taxpayers.”
Even if the challenge to limit taxes will be tough, Strick said local units of government in Huntington are more prepared than others across the state.
Strick said he has directed department heads to identify services and programs that can be “reduced, run more efficiently or eliminated” to align with the future. He does not expect layoffs, but will examine compensation and benefits closely.
Huntington must continue to pursue collaborative methods to support more housing and further investments by industry and commercial businesses, Strick said.
The Mayor said a key part of the city’s strategy will be to continue maximizing state, federal and private grants. He said they will also use the 2024 lease revenue bonds and the 2025 general obligation bonds for capital projects to attract and retain families in Huntington.
“2025 was a busy and productive year for our city,” Strick said. “Our work for 2026 is well underway as we solidify plans from 2025 and work toward implementation. My resolve remains to keep believing in and working for a better Huntington.”
Strick said a volunteer board pursuing a southside grocery store continues to take steps forward to ensure success. He also said the community foundation-led improvements along the Little River will provide a great addition to the downtown.
“I am perfectly okay with testing the limits on how many coffee shops, fast food joints, taquerias, clothing stores and locally owned businesses our community can utilize,” Strick said. “A vibrant economy on the move will have successes and failures, but it is key that it is in motion, as ours is.”
Strick said he hears horror stories around the state of local elected officials creating drama, and even if he might agree on all the details, he can absolutely trust all elected officials to continue working for better results for residents.
Strick said one of the largest challenges facing the city will be the remodeling of the Huntington City Hall in 2026 and 2027. He said all city hall operations will be temporarily relocated to 207 W. State St., the former Duke Energy building.
He said the relocation will allow the remodeling to be done quicker, lowering the cost of the project.
Mayor Strick’s 2025 highlights New fire station
Fire Chief Tony Johnson and firefighters broke ground on a new fire station on Flaxmill Road. Strick said the new station will improve safety and long-term health outcomes for firefighters, while also improving response times.
The Mayor said once this project is complete, the future of the Condit Street station will be evaluated in order to best serve the taxpayers.
Police update
Strick said the city saw back-to-back valedictorians at the Police Academy, with Logan Miller picking up where Abigale Fullerton left off.
He said the department was also able to add two canine officers with community fundraising efforts, as well as adding drone technology to assist in investigations.
“To be clear, this program is for active investigations, not passive monitoring of public spaces,” Strick said about the drones.
Public works, engineering services
Strick said long-term control plan projects seven and eight were completed in 2025, with final paving and punchlist items to be finished this spring on Tipton Street.
The reconstruction of Division Street was also completed in 2025, a project that finished under budget. The Cottage-Jessup-Park neighborhood improvements were also finalized in 2025.
Strick said the new maintenance staff has already paid for itself by handling more work in house and freeing up other staff members. He also said the city forester launched a tree planting initiative to improve the city’s tree canopy using federal grant funding.
“All in all, this department oversaw $50,288,460.91 invested in critical infrastructure this last year,” Strick said.
Community development, redevelopment
Strick said director Bryn Keplinger and the community development and redevelopment have continued to see strong growth throughout the city.
The Mayor said the H.K. Porter facility demolition was a success and that further environmental testing will give the city a roadmap for future site steps.
He also said Keplinger’s work with flood plain management and investments in fire services has provided hidden savings to taxpayers by lowering the cost for residential and commercial insurance programs.
Street department
Strick said the community owes city services superintendent Tim Bischoff “a great deal of thanks” for coming in at any hour to ensure streets remain clear, especially during intense snowfall.
He said crack sealing and road maintenance helped to disperse roadwork costs for the future.
Utility distribution
Strick thanked the superintendent of water distribution and collection, Nate Goetz, for the improvements in reducing unaccounted water within a year-over-year improvement of 5 percent.
“To put that in financial terms, that saves about $143,000 of unaccounted production for the city of Huntington,” Strick said.
Strick said Goetz and his team helped secure federal funding after inspections of water mains downtown after six main breaks on July 4, 2024.
Parks and recreation
Strick said parks and recreation superintendent Steve Yoder had a “busy and productive 2025,” and promises more of the same in 2026.
Strick said they will continue to invest in the lease revenue bond proceeds to bring updates and appropriations for trail expansion, park improvements and more.