City offices limit budget ‘wish lists’

A budget that would maintain the same level of services for Chattanooga in the coming year could cost an additional $12.3 million, city records show.

Chattanooga officials released annual departmental budget requests Tuesday night. The requests total $197.5 million, up from $185.2 million budgeted in the current 2010-11 fiscal year. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

“It’s a wish list,” Council Chairman Manny Rico said. “It’s like that always, but you don’t know what you are going to get.”

But city department heads reached Wednesday said there are no frills in their requests. Mostly they reflect higher costs for supplies and materials, makeup for prior cuts and deal with unforeseen expenditures, the department heads said.

“It’s business as usual,” said Chattanooga Police Chief Bobby Dodd.

The Department of Public Works said it will need $6.4 million — 21.4 percent above the current year — to maintain a standard level of services.

The Chattanooga Police Department has asked for an additional $2.1 million, and the Personnel Department is seeking more than $357,000 in new funding, a 20.6 percent increase.

Personnel Director Donna Kelley said she is trying to refill positions cut over the past five years. When budget cuts come, there is only one way to cut in her 19-person department, she said.

“For me, that means people.”

The budget she is requesting would unfreeze two positions and create a new position for city recruitment, she said. The department has been cut 5 percent each year the last five years, she said.

Steve Leach, the city’s public works administrator, said his increased requests are for higher costs in several areas — medical, materials, vehicle leases and fuel — along with restocking salt used in recent snowstorms.

“You just have natural, normal increases,” he said.

Council members are preparing to hear requests from nonprofit agencies tonight. They will hear the departmental requests on March 10.

Councilwoman Pam Ladd said she doesn’t expect any surprises.

“I think they would all know not to send fluff,” she said.