Mayor to give State of the City address

The state of the city is strong, but the budget Huntington Mayor Steve Williams will unveil Tuesday to City Council is smaller than last year.
The mayor said loss of revenues from large projects like the construction on Marshall University's campus is to blame for the smaller budget.
Williams assured the smaller budget would not raise fees for the public and there will be no layoffs at City Hall.
"This is not an indication of slowing down," Williams said. "We are living within our means."
Williams said the city was forced to reduce the budget in July, which he called a stress test, which the city passed.
He said the budget will be structured like the last two years.
The mayor is also predicted to talk about three large projects for the city, including the redevelopment of the city's West End, Hal Greer Boulevard and Fairfield West neighborhood. The mayor also wants to redevelop the ACF property, a 70 acre lot not being utilized in the middle of the city.
The final project will be high-speed broadband for the city. Williams said this will ensure Huntington will be able to compete with the rest of the cities on the river.
"Go big or go home," Williams said.
Williams said the broadband will tie the projects together like a virtual ribbon.
Williams will also talk about the drug problems facing Huntington. In January alone, there were 10 overdose deaths in the city.
"We need to rally together and say we aren't taking this anymore," Williams said.
The State of the City address will be given at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.