Audio clip
City council meeting
The Chattanooga City Council approved a $185 million budget with a 37-cent property tax increase on first reading Tuesday night, even as dozens of people protested the hike.
“We’ve tried to cut, tried to cut and we have,” said Councilman Jack Benson. “I hope we can find more ways to cut further.”
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Staff photo by Allison KwesellChattanooga Times Free Press - Mayor Ron Littlefield speaks before the Chattanooga City Council votes on a 37 cents per $100 of assessed value tax increase.
The council’s tax increase is 27 cents lower than Mayor Ron Littlefield’s initial budget proposal last month, which included a property tax increase of 64 cents per $100 of assessed value.
If approved next week on second reading, the increase will add right at $124 to the city tax bill for a $134,000 home, the median price in Chattanooga.
The vote was 6-3, with Russell Gilbert, Peter Murphy and Deborah Scott voting no.
Dozens of protesters packed the City Council meeting room, some applauding when council members cast votes against the tax increase.
Several lined up after the meeting to comment, saying they did not want any more taxes.
Lana Sutton, a Chattanooga resident and city employee, pleaded against the tax increase and for a raise for city employees.
“Who’s getting raises?” she asked the council. “The people making $100,000. Say hello to the people making $100,000.”
She then turned and pointed toward a group of city administrators and directors sitting on one side of the room.
The new budget does not give any raises to city employees except to fix a police department anomaly. The budget also cuts out take-home cars for those who live outside the city limits, reforms future medical benefits once retirees hit 65 and cuts money to city-funded agencies by almost $1 million.
Council members found money to keep city recreation centers open for normal hours and to keep the Frances Wyatt Recreation Center and the pool at the Carver Recreation Center off the chopping block.
Council members have tried for almost a month to reduce the mayor’s proposed 33 percent property tax increase.
HOW THEY VOTED
The City Council on Tuesday approved a $185 million budget.
Voting for:
* Jack Benson
* Carol Berz
* Pam Ladd
* Andraé McGary
* Sally Robinson
* Manny Rico
Voting against:
* Russell Gilbert
* Peter Murphy
* Deborah Scott
Source: City Council
Mrs. Scott said the result still didn’t go far enough.
“I think there is still room for modification and reduction,” she said.
Mr. Gilbert said he wouldn’t vote for a tax increase unless it included pay raises for city employees.
“I find it very difficult for me, if we’re going to raise the taxes of the city, we’re leaving out the backbone and the backbone is our employees,” he said.
The new budget adds no new firefighters and cuts police hiring to one academy.
City officials said part of the need for the tax increase is because the city has drawn down its reserve from $41 million to $24 million over the past three years. City officials say they cannot go back to the well for fear of affecting future bond ratings.
Mark West, president of the Chattanooga Tea Party, said he thinks the city still should look at the fund.
“You don’t balance your budget on the backs of people trying to make it through a rainy day themselves,” he said.
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City passes property tax hikeStaff photo by Allison KwesellChattanooga Times Free Press - Protesters gather around the Chattanooga City Council Building before a Chattanooga City Council meeting to vote on a 37 cents per $100 of assessed value tax increase.
Cliff has worked for the Times Free Press for five years and covers Chattanooga city government. He previously covered Rhea County, as well as transportation and growth and development in Southeast Tennessee. A native of Maryville, Tenn., Cliff graduated in 2003 from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis on journalism. Before coming to Chattanooga, he was a crime reporter with Hernando Today, a supplement of The Tampa (Fla.) ...
Remember these votes at election time!
Russell Gilbert , Peter Murphy & Deborah Scott are to be commended for their votes. I'm proud Peter Murphy is my representative and will vote for & campaign for him at the next election. Hopefully , some of the other Council members will see the light and vote "NO" on the second reading. There is plenty more cutting possible in order to get to no property increase. People also must be able to accept & understand that when more cutting is made (which needs to be done) that services will be decreased, We taxpayers can't have better services from our government & lower taxes at the same time. Pretty basic.
I too am proud of Debroah Scott. She has listened to her constituents. Littlfield if out of touch, and I hope the recall goes through!
Yet we continue to pay the former soft core porn star over $100,000 to head a department that serves no useful purpose. This is incredible.
RECALL THE MAYOR!!!! VOTE THE REST OUT OF OFFICE... They are out of touch with the people and their plight. By this vote...they are basically saying "Let them eat cake"
As a financial person, I would like to see a comparison of spending by department for the last three against the proposed spending for the next fiscal year. I understand that there is a shortfall of tax revenue versus what our politicians would like to spend, but how does this wish list compare to history. My guess is that our public servants are asking for a large increase in spending.
In business, when times are tough, companies hunker down, reduce spending, and yes, let people go and reduce benefits. These are actions that don't seem to happen in government. Companies even try to raise their revenues, like this tax increase. In commerce, however, the customer can choose not to buy or go elsewhere. We, the electorate have no choice.
Mr. Benson is my councilman. I will remember his vote come election time.
Just wait, the costs will go even higher if Mayor Littlefield's annexation plans continue (taxation without representation, and no democratic vote by the people). If Chattanooga does not recall him soon, there will be even higher costs that the city will be burdoned with when his term is up and he is conveniently out of office. He can them move to another city and run for office there, and do further damage. What is it going to take for the people to finally do something about the renegade mayor?
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