The Chattanooga City Council before its regular meeting on Tuesday planned to discuss how much money it would give to agencies jointly funded by the city and Hamilton County. But a deeper discussion about the nearly $200 million proposed budget -- which includes a controversial property tax increase -- caused the council to set that concern aside for now.
"Let's find out things we can cut that are (big-ticket items)," Councilman Manny Rico said after Tuesday's meeting. "Let's not start nickel-and-dim-ing everything."
Outside Tuesday's meeting, people unhappy with the proposed tax increase, 64 cents per $100 of assessed value, held signs and chanted. They also spoke during the meeting. The city's Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on June 15 to talk about a variety of budget issues, according to Councilwoman Carol Berz, its chairwoman.
"The council was saying they need to take a look at everything before they start cutting," she said.
Mr. Rico said the tax increase has not made passing the budget more complicated for the council.
"It makes it harder for people to realize we've got to have money to keep services going," he said.
About seven people spoke at the meeting Tuesday, saying times are tough and many are living on a fixed income, generating "amens" and rounds of applause. Resident Andy Smith, who protested outside the meeting, said that if anything the council should cut taxes.
Councilman Andrae McGary said that in addition to people expressing their outrage over the tax increase, they also should offer their suggestions as to what the city would cut.
"The conversation hasn't been engaging in a two-person sense," he said.
Mayor Ron Littlefield's spokesman, Richard Beeland, said the anger about the tax proposal is not unexpected.
"There's never a good time for a discussion about a tax increase," he said. "The council has a hard decision in front of them."
When the council meets again next week, it may consider overhauling its taxi cab regulations, according to Councilman Peter Murphy.
Among the changes proposed are rules that would make it more difficult for cab drivers to obtain permission to drive a taxi if they are convicted of a felony. Assistant City Attorney Crystal Freiberg presented the council with a draft of several changes to the existing law.
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