Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly on Wednesday announced the launch of the city's Equitable Recovery Commission, which will guide how the city uses its federal COVID-19 relief funding.
The commission will be tasked with determining how to spend $38.6 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds throughout the city to bolster those affected by the pandemic, according to a Wednesday news release.
"This historic infusion of [American Rescue Plan] dollars serves as an opportunity to catalyze lasting positive change in our city for generations to come, with a focus on communities disproportionately affected by an extraordinary public health emergency," Kelly said. "I'm looking forward to working with these outstanding community leaders - who've volunteered their time, deep community relationships and expertise - to help us provide a transparent, equitable and accountable process that's worthy of our residents' trust and confidence."
(READ MORE: Chattanoogans talk budget wishes with city administration)
The commission is comprised of 12 community leaders selected by Kelly.
The group has formed amid the first round of budget discussions between the mayor's administration and residents.
Commission timeline
The commission’s timeline is tentatively scheduled as follows:— Four meetings to be held through late March.— Delivery of final recommendations by early April.— Mayor Tim Kelly’s review and potential approval by mid-April.— Launch of ARP benefits application by mid-April.— Application deadline by end of May.— Announcement of results by end of June.
On Monday, Chattanooga residents voiced their wish lists for the 2022-23 fiscal year budget, covering topics ranging from infrastructure to public health.
In the first of three virtual public sessions, residents broke out into five groups with city officials and proposed initiatives to rebuild aging infrastructure, improve access to health services and housing and bolster the local minority community.
The conversations revolved around Kelly's "One Chattanooga" plan, which details his policy goals for the city - but officials emphasized the plan is not an edict and will require more community input.
The plan includes universal early education, making the city more economically competitive in the region and closing gaps in access to public health services.
Commission members
— Alondra Gomez-Nunez, TN United.— Ann Pierre, NAACP Chattanooga.— Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.— Ericka DeBruce, Unum.— Katie Wells, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society.— Ketha Richardson, EPB.— Lakweshia Ewing, Unlearn Everything.— Marcus Cade-Johnson, TVFCU.— Miles Huff, Cempa Community Care.— Pastor Ernest Reid, Second Missionary Baptist Church.— Quentin Lawrence, Pathway Lending.— Yolanda Putman, The Howard School.
Monday's discussions largely surrounded the operating budget, which does not include funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Democrats in Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in March.
The city will hold its next public input meeting via Zoom from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday.
The final meeting will be Feb. 10 via Zoom during the same timeframe.
Those interested in attending the meetings are required to register by filling out a form that can be found at bit.ly/chatbudgetform.
Contact Logan Hullinger at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com or 814-319-5158. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.