Over a year ago, Red Bank entered into an agreement with Buxton Company to help market Red Bank to businesses that have the potential of moving into the Chattanooga area. Buxton matches a company with compatible cities and it is then up to the city to contact the business. At the commission meeting Tuesday night, the Red Bank Commissioners voted to send formal notice to Buxton Company of the city’s intent to terminate the professional services agreement. Mayor John Roberts said Red Bank will be going in a different direction and has found a cheaper way to accomplish the same goal.
Both the police and fire departments will benefit from grants the city will be receiving.
The 2017-2018 Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Risk Management Pool “Safety Partner’s Loss Control Matching Grant” of $2,000 will be matched by the city and will be used to buy protective vests for the fire department.
An agreement between the city and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security was approved by the commissioners. This will provide $14,999 through the “2018 Distracted Driving Reduction Program Grant.” The money will be 100 percent from federal funds and requires no match from Red Bank. The money will be used for police overtime, education initiatives, and community involvement. This is the second year that Red Bank received this grant. Last year it funded a demonstration at Red Bank High School that used golf carts to show the effect that cell phone use has on drivers. The exercise will be repeated this year.
The mayor reported that the Alpine Crest Elementary School Fall Festival, which has been held at least 50 years, was a success. He said that enough funds were raised this year to build a new playground. Commissioner Ed LeCompte thanked the Red Bank Masonic Lodge for providing a child ID chip program during the festival. He said 22 children were registered.