City council hears $29.9 million budget amendment

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The city of Chattanooga could be getting ready to sign a 30 million dollar check.

A 29.9 million dollar budget amendment came before city council Tuesday, January 21st.

These funds would come from Chattanooga’s reserve fund.

11.9 million dollars will be allocated across Chattanooga.

Councilman Darrin Ledford said, “Improvements in infrastructure is something that a lot of people have been asking for dramatically and it seems like we are moving in that direction. Especially with this allocation.”

73.4% will go to infrastructure and public safety needs. Some highlights of those upgrades are Raccoon Mountain water infrastructure and sewer lateral street repairs.

Proposed Investments in Critical Infrastructure and Public Safety Investments 

• • • • • $360,000 Detection for intersections
        • $50,000 Mobile traffic count trailers
        • $500,000 Modern Traffic Management Center
        • $200,000 Streetlights upgrade
        • $632,000 Lookout Valley Infrastructure upgrade
        • $200,000 CPD Property Room and HVAC Upgrades
        • $120,000 CFD turnout gear drying racks
        • $80,000 CFD Swift Water Rescue Vehicle
        • $3,000,000 for sewer lateral street repairs
        • $500,000 TwoPacMac Leaf Vacuum Trucks
        • $500,000 Pedestrian Safety (Fernway to Barton)
        • $1,000,000 Crest Road Improvements
        • $700,000 sidewalk at Cassandra Smith Road/Big Ridge Elementary
        • $250,000 Rossville Blvd Beautification
        • $150,000 Quick build transportation and safety (RPA SS4A match)
        • $500,000 Raccoon Mountain Water Infrastructure

8.1% will be put into tech innovation and the local economy. Like a $600,000 D.O.T grant match for an automated test track as long as it benefits Chattanooga.

Councilman Ken Smith said, “This is where the city is investing in others infrastructure for the benefit, ultimately, hopefully of the study and what comes out of it. I just wanted to reiterate that we are careful in our contracting such that this is not a gift. If this track does not produce, it is not finished if it is not built if it is not used, we get our money back.”

5.9% will go to public health, education and mobility. Part of this money will relocate the Rape Crisis Center.

The chief of staff, Jermaine Freeman said, “What this is doing is, it is sort of layering the groundwork for partnership for families, children, and adults to co-locate their rape crisis center at the FGC because as you know their building is very very old.”

Proposed investments in Public Health, Education and Mobility

• • • • • $40,000 Preliminary engineering to co-locate the Rape Crisis Center to the Dr. Carol B. Berz Family Justice Center
        • $415,000 Upgrades to the Carol B. Berz FJC to accommodate the co-location of the Rape Crisis Center
        • $50,000 for a feasibility study for an East Brainerd Library location
        • $50,000 for a feasibility study for a Northgate Library location

12.6% will go into community development, housing and parks.

Proposed Investments in Parks, Community Development and Housing

• • • • • $100,000 Tennessee River Blueway trailhead, kiosk, and parking
        • $100,000 Sports turf field for Eastside Elementary (County, TPL match)
        • $250,000 Heritage Park-inclusive playground (County match)
        • $100,000 Mowing equipment for  municipal golf courses
        • $100,000 Mountain bike pump track feasibility study
        • $100,000 Park Signage at Glenwood, Summit Softball, Sterchi,  & Warner Park
        • $40,000 Pavilion at Lake Hills Park
        • $40,000 Pavilion at Murray Hills
        • $75,000 CARTA feasibility study for Transit-oriented Development
        • $100,000 for planned expansion of the 3D printed shelter program
        • $120,000 East Lake satellite parking lot
        • $25,000 Glenwood room divider
        • $150,000 Carver gym floor restoration- pending feasibility study results
        • $50,000 Carver bathroom renovation-pending feasibility study results
        • $7,500 ADA button for front door at Eastdale
        • $50,000 Exterior Lighting for Eastdale
        • $45,000 Ramsey Center parking lot gate
        • $45,000 Shepherd Center parking lot gate
        • $150,000 Three (3) Transport Vans

• • • • • • (Carver, Avondale, and East Chattanooga)

Another chunk of money, 18 million, will go to the Police and Fire Pension fund.

Councilwoman Marvene Noel said, “I to am a member of the first responders family. I am a widow of a firefighter, EMT, who served 19 years with the city of Chattanooga. Anything that is needed that will make life better because when you all are good, we are definitely better.”

This will bring the funding percentage to 60% which is what is recommended by the State Comptroller.

This budget amendment has been pushed to February.

The G.F.O.A. will bring a study before the amendment will be heard in February to present a Chattanooga specific percentage to keep the general reserve at.

Right now financial experts recommend 16%.