Humane Educational Society Executive Director Guy Bilyeu said his agency will remain strong despite the upcoming opening of the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center in Hixson.
The HES is losing city of Chattanooga funding, and Mr. Bilyeu said his agency tightened its belt and made some staff reductions after losing $560,000 from its budget.
But he said the facility has made notable improvements and has raised $1 million in private donations and grants over the past five years.
HES is asking the county to raise its donation level to $4.92 per citizen.
He said East Ridge pays $10 per citizen and the city of Chattanooga $7.50.
The request of the county is to go from $299,434 to $431,076.
County Commissioner Richard Casavant said the county will have "two big (animal) operations. I do wish we could find a way to work together."
Other county budget requests on Tuesday were:
Forest Fire Prevention same $4,000
Bethlehem Community Center same $15,000
Tennessee Multicultural Chamber of Commerce same $75,000
Armed Forces Day parade same $10,000
Speech and Hearing Center $141,893 to $147,569
Children's Home $465,336 to $465,922
Partnership For Families, Children and Adults $1,113,125 to $1,1155,388
Fortwood Center $179,224 to $184,600
Joe Johnson Mental Health Center $same $60,156
Orange Grove Center same $48,381
Team Centers $69,589 to $72,373
Children's Advocacy Center $same $18,368
AIM Center $57,488 to $135,501
Signal Centers same $39,518
Chattanooga Endeavors $17,000 to $30,000
Chattanooga Homeless Coalition $13,500 to $15,000
Alexian Senior Neighbors $10,000 to $30,000
Jewish Community Center - to $27,874
The Enterprise Center - to $25,000