Debate over school facilities funding

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new mechanism to fund future Hamilton County school construction was introduced Wednesday morning.

If passed at the next Commission meeting, up to 250 million dollars in bonds would be issued to fund various school projects across the county.

This is a part of the school facilities plan that was introduced a few months ago.

However, some commissioners wondered if this would be enough, and if more funding would be needed.

Others argued that any more would require a tax increase, something that could be put to a referendum.

Commissioner David Shape argued, “And that is not something that this board can vote to approve. This board can only put it on the ballot for the people of the Hamilton County, that so many people are so confident would not support additional school facilities spending, would vote for in the form of a referendum.”

Commissioner Lee Helton said that he was for the bonds, but added that anything past that would be burdensome for county taxpayers.

There is no such resolution for a tax increase referendum that has been introduced at this time.