City Council looks at tax equity, EPA lawyer

Online: Hear the council meeting. Read a copy of the budget provided by the Atlanta law firm. Comment.

The Chattanooga City Council listened to the pleas Tuesday night of one resident who said there needs to be tax equity among city and county taxpayers.

"City residents are paying a big part of that county budget," said Gordon Anderson, who lives on Asherton Lane in East Brainerd. "We don't get any service for what we are paying."

Mr. Anderson made his case before the City Council at the end of Tuesday night's regularly scheduled business meeting. He said he has lived in the city for more than 30 years and does not understand why he pays "twice" for some services through his city and county property taxes.

"We should not be paying for services we do not get," Mr. Anderson said afterward.

Mayor Ron Littlefield commented afterward that he is putting together a joint committee with the county to look at tax equity and consolidation of services. He named Councilwoman Deborah Scott and Councilman Peter Murphy to the committees.

He said he spoke to Mayor Claude Ramsey this week and the county mayor agreed to find two county commissioners to serve on the committees as well. County officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Mr. Littlefield and several council members have said in the past they think the city is burdened by paying more than once for some services.

City council members also voted 6-3 to enter into an agreement with Atlanta-based King & Spalding LLP for legal services related to dealing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning the city's water quality program.

City officials have said the city will enter into negotiations with EPA in the next few months concerning violations of water quality. But Councilwoman Carol Berz objected to paying an Atlanta attorney office to deal with federal regulators.

"I find it hard to believe we don't have the same expertise here in Chattanooga," Dr. Berz said.

City officials said the firm provided a "worst-case scenario" budget that would mean about $100,000 in legal fees. City Attorney Mike McMahan argued that attorneys with the firm have worked with the EPA.

"The nature of the beast is to hire someone who knows the EPA and knows how it runs," he said.

Dr. Berz, along with Councilmen Russell Gilbert and Peter Murphy, voted against the agreement.

JOINT COMMITTEE

Mayor Ron Littlefield announced Tuesday council members who would serve on two proposed joint committees between the city and the county. They are:

* Councilwoman Deborah Scott: Tax equity committee

* Councilman Peter Murphy: Consolidation of services committee

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