It may be weeks before Chattanooga officials compile data on what residents want to see in the city budget year that will start July 1, but infrastructure and access to public resources dominated the conversation at recent community forums.
Potholes and cracked sidewalks, as usual, were prominent talking points among residents during the virtual public budget hearings in January and February. But there were also more nuanced desires among residents in terms of what they want to see happen under Mayor Tim Kelly’s administration.
“We heard a lot about housing, particularly housing people can afford,” said Kelly spokesperson Ellis Smith, who helped facilitate groups, during a Friday phone interview. “I think a lot of folks across the demographic spectrum are concerned about housing.”
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City administrators Thursday evening wrapped up their third and final virtual public hearing to garner input from residents about how they want to see public dollars spent in the next budget.
In each session, residents broke into five groups with city officials and proposed initiatives to rebuild aging infrastructure, improve access to health services and housing and build up the local minority community.
“I was really impressed,” Smith said. “It’s great to get so many people involved.”
Other conversations surrounded bolstering public transportation and using Chattanooga’s access to green spaces.
In addition to the fact that nature-focused landscapes can be a strategy to bring more people into the community, they can also help unite residents, said Chris Sands, the city’s director of community engagement.
Budget calendar
— Preparation of budget documents: February through April.— Public budget presentation: May 3.— Budget education sessions: May 10 to May 31.— The city council’s first reading of budget ordinance: June 7.— The city council’s second reading of budget ordinance: June 14.— Beginning of next fiscal year: July 1.
“I believe that would help our communities to connect,” Sands said in a Friday phone interview.
During Thursday’s public input session, residents specifically emphasized the need to accommodate those with disabilities.
In addition, they said, it’s important to cater to individuals who would benefit the local economy.
“I think that when we support the most vulnerable in our midst, whether that is the elderly, whether that is the children, whether that is people with disabilities, that impacts everybody,” resident Heidi Hoffecker said. “It just makes this a more desirable place to be.”
Others said investing in local, diverse business owners could also help build up Chattanooga.
“The more you invest in entrepreneurs, the more you’re going to have a robust economy because they create jobs,” resident Vickye Bone said at the forum.
Taking advantage of Chattanooga’s mix of an urban environment and rural scenery also surfaced when looking at how to bring more people into the community.
“More open space,” resident Akosua Cook said. “And more layering of our infrastructure. We’ve had several park projects that are both a water quality and green infrastructure project. It’s a great way of leveraging our resources.”
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The conversations Thursday revolved around Kelly’s “One Chattanooga” plan, which details his policy goals for the city – but officials emphasized the plan is not an edict and will require more community input.
The plan includes universal early education, making the city more economically competitive in the region and closing gaps to public health services.
The public discussions largely surrounded the operating budget, which does not include funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Democrats in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last March.
Those funds will be discussed separately through public outreach events conducted by the Chattanooga Equitable Recovery Commission, officials said.
Contact Logan Hullinger at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com or 814-319-5158. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.
Administration priorities
— Build a path to universal early learning.— Bolster minority businesses.— Ensure accessible and affordable housing.— Improve local infrastructure.— Build a competitive regional economy.— Close gaps in access to public health services.— Ensure responsive and effective local government.