Jobs and the slowing economy need to be among Mayor Ron Littlefield’s “big concerns” when he delivers his third State of the City address this week, community leaders say.
Councilman Jack Benson said the mayor should outline how the city can maintain services in the midst of a challenging economy and inflation.
“I don’t want us to reduce our level of services, but at the same time it really concerns me how much longer we can continue without raising taxes,” Mr. Benson said. The city last raised taxes in 2001.
Mr. Littlefield declined through his spokesman to be interviewed about the speech, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at The Chattanoogan hotel on Broad Street.
The current $166 million budget included a 3 percent across-the-board pay raise for city employees. The largest expenditure, $42 million, is for the police department. The biggest source of revenue for the city is property taxes, which account for $95 million.
Dr. Anita Polk-Conley, president of the M.L. King Neighborhood Association, said jobs should be a top priority this year.
“One of the big concerns I think for all of us is how are we going to make sure we have the type of jobs that are going to maintain the economic strength of our city,” she said.
The city’s unemployment rate in 2007 was 4 percent, down from 4.6 percent in 2006, according to figures from the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce.
However, higher gas prices and the credit crisis in the housing market are among factors that have some economists worried the nation is headed for a recession that could affect job growth.
The mayor’s speech this year comes in the midst of city department budget presentations to the City Council members. The 2009 fiscal year begins July 1.
During two days of hearings last week, administrators discussed operating in lean times as they grapple with rising fuel and construction costs.
Councilwoman Sally Robinson said the economy should not be the “be all and end all” as leaders push to move the Scenic City forward.
“Even though times are hard, we can still plan ahead for our future so that when the rising tide does come we will be ready to float,” she said.
As he looks to a re-election bid next spring, Mr. Littlefield has touted his working relationships with county government and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce in economic development efforts.
J.Ed. Marston, vice president of marketing and communications for the Chamber, said the organization hopes the mayor will keep vocalizing his support of a “comprehensive approach” to job growth in this week’s speech.
“We hope to hear the mayor communicate his strong support for continuing to build on Chattanooga’s reputation as a pro-business city,” Mr. Marston said. “Mayor Littlefield’s leadership has been a key component in our community’s successful effort to build a coalition among elected officials, private businesses and educators in support of economic growth.”
Besides the economy, Dr. Polk-Conley said she wants the city’s chief executive to address crime and his proposal for a homeless services complex at the former Farmers’ Market site on East 11th Street. She said she’ll continue pushing for transitional housing, supportive services and employment in addressing homelessness.
“I don’t see a change on the horizon as of right now,” she said of the mayor’s approach, which she has questioned.
In his first State of the City address in 2006, Mr. Littlefield outlined broadly plans to develop the nine-acre Farmers’ Market site into a homeless complex. He also spoke about the need for jobs creation.
In his second State of the City address in 2007, he unveiled plans for a task force to reinvigorate and revamp the library system.
IF YOU GO
* What: Mayor Ron Littlefield’s State of the City address
* When: Thursday, 5:30 p.m. (reception at 4:30 p.m.)
* Where: The Chattanoogan hotel on Broad Street
