BY THE NUMBERS* East Ridge — $13.9 million budget / $94,000 in raises* Red Bank — $5.1 million budget / $58,000 in raises* Signal Mountain — $6.1 million budget / $38,500 in raisesNote: East Ridge and Signal Mountain budgets have only passed first reading.
As the Chattanooga City Council enters its third month of budget uncertainty, government workers in three smaller Hamilton County municipalities know they can look forward to thicker wallets.
The Red Bank Board of Commissioners and Signal Mountain Town Council recently approved across-the-board employee raises, and both governing boards unanimously voted for a boost after virtually no debate on the issue.
In Red Bank, officials termed their raises as “cost of living increases” that will pay about 60 employees a cumulative total of $58,000. Red Bank Mayor Joe Glasscock reluctantly voted for the budget, but he wasn’t sure about future increases.
“That kind of spending will put us in some tax increase trouble,” Mr. Glasscock said at the time.