The Chattanooga Police Department has asked for a $5.5 million increase in the city’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, most of which is accounted for in cost-of-living raises and vehicle expenses, including adding a fleet specialist position.
The proposed budget was presented to the City Council in early May, and departments have been coming before the council in budget education sessions throughout the month to explain their asks.
The Police Department’s proposed budget appears to be a reduction of about $3 million, but that is not an apples-to-apples comparison, Police Chief John Chambers told the council during his budget presentation May 12.
Until the upcoming fiscal year, the budgets for 911 — both police and fire — and McKamey Animal Center were tucked into the Police Department’s budget. The fiscal year 2027 budget moved both to different line items, a change that gives the appearance of a decrease.