Several City Council members said Tuesday they want to see more local engineering firms used on city projects.
Councilwoman Debra Scott said she has gotten feedback from local companies who want to obtain more city work.
Lee Norris of city public works said the jobs are listed in legal notices in the local newspaper.
Ms. Scott said on the Internet she found a list of 20 qualified local engineering firms. She suggested that those on the list be contacted about projects.
"Why wouldn't you do that?" She asked.
"Why would we?" Mr. Norris responded.
Councilwoman Carol Berz said she had similar concerns about providing as much work as possible to local firms and she said "flip remarks" were unneeded.
Councilwoman Scott also said there had been "heartburn" about how the Arcadis firm obtained a contract to plan transportation to the new park at Moccasin Bend.
Steve Leach, public works administrator, said that was a grant from the National Park Service and the NPS made the choice.
The staff chose the firm of Jordan, Jones and Goulding for the Upper Amnicola Interceptor Rehabilitation project. The contract amount is $184,750.
Public works officials said Jordan, Jones and Goulding is an Illinois firm, but is opening a Chattanooga office on Wednesday.
Officials said some projects require special skills that smaller local firms may not have.
A second sewer contract went to Arcadis. The amount was $183,000.
CTI Engineers was awarded a $205,000 project, and Lamar Dunn and Associates got one for $235,750.
Dan Johnson, chief of staff to the mayor, said a city panel reviews the awarding of the engineering contracts. He said he is on the group along with Al Chapman of the mayor's office, Artie Prichard of purchasing and a representative of the department making the request. Chairman of the panel is Paul Page, city general services director.