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Sunday, November 1, 2026Nov 1

Pam Sohn


Sohn: New Chattanooga budget sails, even with higher police budget and property tax increase

The passage of Chattanooga's city budget last week sailed in and out the council chambers without a hitch - a pretty remarkable feat given that the $302 million budget gave raises to lots of city employees (especially police), did not defund police (a demand from some in our city) and included a $30 million city property tax increase (something that usually brings screams from the public).

Staff file photo by Troy Stolt / Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly speaks at the beginning of the 2021 city budget presentation inside of the City Council Chambers on Aug. 10.