Hamilton County commissioners will vote Wednesday on whether to give the public more time to give feedback and talk with elected officials before voting on any property tax increase.
At last week's agenda session, District 8 Commissioner Tim Boyd proposed a resolution that, if passed, would require two separate readings of a resolution that would result in a tax increase before a vote.
"This is a relatively benign resolution that basically allows the public to have additional time for input on any formally introduced resolution that would adjust our property tax rates which would result in increased revenue to the county, i.e. a property tax increase," Boyd told fellow commissioners at last week's meeting.
Now, only one reading of a resolution is required before the commission votes on it. Typically, the first reading will occur at an agenda session and the vote will happen exactly a week later during the next commission meeting.
"It's not pointed in any direction or pointed at any potential future resolution," Boyd added. "It's just basically giving the public more time and notice on any future tax increase the commission might impose."
Some commissioners wondered what the motivations were for Boyd's resolution, but during last week's agenda meeting District 3 Commissioner Greg Martin commended him for his timing.
"I want to commend you for bringing this to us long before we get in the heat of the battle," Martin said. "I truly commend you for the timing of this resolution."
Martin and other commissioners said they were willing to discuss the resolution. Commissioners were less opinionated on it last week than on other topics they were considering, including entering into talks with the city of Chattanooga about consolidating wastewater treatment services and whether or not to speak out against Gov. Bill Lee's school voucher bill that has been making its rounds at the Capitol.
Two readings before a major vote would not be uncommon, according to Brett Howell of UT County Technical Assistance Service.
Though Howell couldn't say how many of the state's 95 counties have such a practice, he said many do.
Counties are able to amend rules and procedures in such a way, as long as they do not move to do away with a first reading and then a vote.
Other local governing bodies already follow such practices. The Chattanooga City Council typically reads every ordinance twice before voting on it. The Hamilton County Board of Education does the same with policy changes. Each of those entities might vote at the second meeting, though, after the ordinance or policy change is read.
Boyd's proposal would ensure that a property tax increase could not be voted on until a third meeting - the commission's next regular session after the tax increase's second reading.
The commission also will vote on a more-than-$26 million contract with P&C Construction for the new Harrison Elementary School and nearly $1.5 million for the renovation and expansion of the Silverdale Correctional Facility, among other items at Wednesday's meeting.
Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.