An independent committee set up to examine water quality fees in Chattanooga today approved $10 million for the city program.
“I know it’s not as much as you wanted, but it’s what we can give,” Bill Raines, chairman of the committee, said after the 7-0 vote.
The budget recommendation will come before the City Council next Tuesday.
The council approved a $21.5 million budget in October and set up the committee to see if there was any way to decrease user fees.
The water quality fee became controversial late last year after the council approved raising it from $36 to $115.20 a year for residences and even higher for businesses.