The Chattanooga City Council met Tuesday morning in a work session to consider the new budget for fiscal year 2016-2017. Requests for funding that fall under general government, was on the agenda, beginning with Economic and Community Development.
In this area an administrative hearing officer has been planned as a contracted position for a new program to help blighted properties. Typically a first codes violation would be heard by a judge. The second time a property is cited the case would be diverted to the administrative hearing officer. The city judge can only issue a fine of $50 for a violation and some people just let the city perform maintenance such as cutting grass, because the $50 fine is cheaper than having the work done themselves. It actually costs the city $112 for cutting grass, and that amount is established as a lien on the property each time it occurs. There is a low collection rate for the city on liens and they are usually not paid until the property is sold.
The administrative hearing officer will have the authority to fine up to $500 per day. The council anticipates that the position will pay for itself with these fines being enforced. Chairman of the Council Moses Freeman said this will be the first tool for rehabilitating property.
Another new position will be a director for Art in the Neighborhoods. This program will use art to revitalize neighborhoods, not just downtown areas. The money designated will be used solely for art, not salaries.
Funding for the Trust For Public Land will also be included in the budget. It has been estimated that for every dollar the city contributes the Trust receives 10 times that amount. It is also a 50/50 split with Hamilton County. The money will go toward a new outdoor spaces director and will be used for maintenance and security.
Human Resources Department has a planned two percent increase with the number of employees remaining the same. Money will be used to improve training programs for recruiting, which includes travel.
Agencies that fall under “general government” which the city plans to fund include:
Artsbuild - contributes to visual and performing arts and for children that live in Chattanooga, to build a better community through the arts
The Carter Street Corporation -operates the Trade Center, in conjunction with Hamilton County
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises - provides loan servicing to help with affordable housing
Chanel 45
The Tennessee Riverpark
Children’s Advocacy Center - to help children who are victims of abuse
The Community Foundation - provides scholarships
The Chattanooga Area Urban League - provides around 43 new jobs per year
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center - money will be used for programs. The city and county share in ownership of the building. Chattanooga also provides maintenance, in another part of the budget.
Heritage Hall Fund (a new name for The Bessie Smith Hall) - the city pays for maintenance costs
The Enterprise Center - for a program named “tech goes home” providing internet into homes that do not have it, creating “digital equity”
Enterprise Center Nature Park
Friends of Moccasin Bend - to increase visitation
ESIP Security Service - providing security for Enterprise South Park
The Homeless Coalition - for adding cold-weather days
The Partnership for Rape Crisis Center
The Chambliss Center - the city’s money will be used for additional classrooms for three and four year olds
Fortwood
Helen Ross McNabb Center
Joe Johnson - provides a program to return felons that are mentally ill, back into the community
The Speech and Hearing Center
Orange Grove Center - programs that allow people with different disabilities to learn how to engage in the workforce, and for working in the recycling center
The Signal Center - provides six week camps for kids with disabilities and provides adult services
The Aim Center - integrates people with mental disabilities into the workforce
The Bethlehem Center - the “community academy” of after-school and summer programs for young people. It also provides the “Impact Program” to help people with criminal backgrounds find employment training, specifically in construction.
Hope for the Inner City - provides job training for work development
Girl’s Inc. - an after school program
Greater Chattanooga Sports and Events - supports the Iron Men competitions. This money will be for improving infrastructure such as building stages and ramps and security. It was noted that one Ironman competition generates $10 million in direct spending.
The Chattanooga Zoo
Chattanooga Room In The Inn - provides housing for homeless women and children for up to nine months
La Paz
Greenspaces
Goodwill Industries - money to be used for staffing and overhead for the furniture bank
Grass Roots Mid-Town
Habitat - money will be used to support homebuilding in the Villages at Alton Park and for neighborhood rehabilitation
United Way Call Center - coordinates the mentorship coalition
Carta - was praised for being responsive in a short amount of time to needs as they are recognized
Bi-Centennial Library - an operating increase for software maintenance to support on-line presence
Air Pollution Control Board
Human Services - covers the cost of administering federal grants
Regional Planning Agency
The Baby University
Budget hearings will resume next Tuesday, June 7.
At this time, it is expected that first reading of the new budget will take place at the city council meeting on June 21.