Chattanooga City Council Budget Education Session #2 - 05/19/2026

The Chattanooga City Council held a budget education session on May 19, 2026, focusing on various departmental budgets including Public Works, Storm Water, Wastewater, Parks, Innovation and Education, Economic Development, Early Learning, and Regional Planning Agency. Key procurement-related discussions included the addition of 23 new positions in Public Works funded through vacancy savings, a $1.4 million capital transfer for a landfill compactor, and a $6.8 million increase in the Storm Water budget to fund a waterways evaluation contract for system prioritization. Wastewater budget discussions highlighted a $49 million increase largely for capital projects, including a revised Class A power project with new digesters to stay within budget. The Department of Technology Services (DTS) reported a $3.2 million budget increase mainly due to IT maintenance costs, including a $2.5 million Axon contract for police body and car cameras. Economic Development’s budget was relatively flat with a $117,000 decrease, adding 10 positions mostly through reorganizations, and discussed funding for affordable housing programs including a $3 million down payment assistance program and a proposed $750,000 investment in a community land trust to promote generational homeownership affordability. The council requested detailed vacancy reports and planned follow-up sessions on unfilled positions, early learning after-school care pilots, and the community land trust’s growth strategy and community engagement plan. Additionally, three community budget listening sessions were announced to gather public input.