Money Might Cover Workhouse Addition, New Schools, SROs
posted June 11, 2007
The County Commission is considering a property tax increase that is expected to be at least 26 cents.
Curtis Adams, commission finance chairman, said the windfall of BEP money to the county schools, is "opening up an opportunity for us to catch up on some things we have fallen behind at the county."
He said it "might take a small tax increase - in the 20s."
Items that may be covered include a new addition at the overcrowded county workhouse.
Commissioner Adams said he would like to see new prosecutors hired for the district attorney and assistants for the public defender.
He said new elementary schools are needed in East Ridge, Harrison and Falling Water.
Commissioner Adams said the new East Ridge School could be on the campus of East Ridge Elementary on John Ross Road that he said is 80 years old.
There is some discussion that the new school might replace both the current East Ridge Elementary and McBrien Elementary, which is only a quarter mile away. Commissioner Adams said, "That is not my decision."
He said the new East Ridge Elementary could be built behind the current school "so there is no disruption."
A portion of the new spending would go for a full complement of School Resource Officers sought by Sheriff Billy Long.
Assistant Chattanooga Police Chief Mike Williams said recently the city plans to drop from eight SROs to two, and he said the county would be taking over much of that responsibility.
He said the city would keep SROs at both Howard and Brainerd high schools and there also would be county SROs at those two schools.
County Mayor Claude Ramsey is set to make his budget presentation on June 28.
The commission will act a couple of weeks later.
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