The Chattanooga City Council before its regular meeting on Tuesday planned to discuss how much money it would give to agencies jointly funded by the city and Hamilton County. But a deeper discussion about the nearly $200 million proposed budget — which includes a controversial property tax increase — caused the council to set that concern aside for now.
“Let’s find out things we can cut that are (big-ticket items),” Councilman Manny Rico said after Tuesday’s meeting. “Let’s not start nickel-and-dim-ing everything.”
Outside Tuesday’s meeting, people unhappy with the proposed tax increase, 64 cents per $100 of assessed value, held signs and chanted. They also spoke during the meeting. The city’s Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee will meet at 1 p.m. on June 15 to talk about a variety of budget issues, according to Councilwoman Carol Berz, its chairwoman.
“The council was saying they need to take a look at everything before they start cutting,” she said.
Mr. Rico said the tax increase has not made passing the budget more complicated for the council.