CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Many Chattanooga residents are anxiously awaiting the decision by the Chattanooga City Council on how much their property taxes will go up as the city looks to increase first responder pay.
Mayor Tim Kelly proposed a 44 cent tax increase to a $1.99 adopted tax rate, that would average over four hundred dollars more per year.
However, a group of council members led by Chip Henderson are looking for a smaller increase.
That was the main purpose of Tuesday’s Ad Hoc meeting at the Chattanooga City Council building, to determine an alternate budget that could be presented alongside Mayor Tim Kelly’s $1.99 adopted tax rate.
However, that devolved into a series of personal insults with one council member, Dennis Clark, storming out.
He had gotten into a back and forth with Councilwoman and Chair Jenny Hill, after suggesting that the Council completely defund her district’s community centers.
Councilwoman Hill said that Councilman Clark was “putting on a show” with that suggestion.
Councilman Clark responded with, “It’s sad to be on camera and to see us because I think this is an irresponsible budget, this is not how we even do our personal budgets. How can, you know I don’t even want to hear it! You talking about a show? Here’s a show, I’m walking out!”
After some further arguing, he then promptly left the meeting trashing the proposal led by Councilman Chip Henderson, highlighting the tense nature of the discussions around the property tax proposals. `
Henderson’s proposal would only increase the property tax rate by 14 cents to a $1.69 adopted tax rate.
He, along with Councilwoman Hill, had previously wanted to cap that rate at $1.67, but decided to not push for any cuts to the Office of Community Development following multiple complaints from other council members.
This would be 30 cents less than the mayor’s increase, but come with millions in cuts in other areas, a sacrifice Henderson argues is necessary.
Henderson in a back and forth with Clark said, “My question to you is, what is the impact to taxpayers when we take it out of their pockets? They’re probably expecting a thousand dollars more a year in expenses.”
Other council members, like Marvene Noel, argued that those pushing for cuts should feel the brunt of them.
She is openly supporting the $1.99 rate set by Mayor Kelly
Councilwoman Noel said, “Everybody around the room that is in here. Everybody that hears the sound of my voice. TV cameras and all, not one brown cent is coming from District 8. If you all are the ones having the issue with the tax rate, then you all take it from your district.”
She went on to make further claims about the intent of this budget especially over the proposed cuts to community development.
Councilwoman Noel said, “Let me tell you, when you see this right here, so many racial undertones right here, come on now! It can’t be anything but.”
Councilwoman Jenny Hill, who has led much of the work on this alternate tax proposal, rejected this premise.
She said, “I feel like the body of my work has does not deserve, has not earned being called irresponsible, uninformed, racist, that is not the way I do my work.”
Councilwoman Noel responded, “I never called you racist, but it had racist undertones.”
Even with the cuts to community development were lifted, but there is still a rift within the city council.
Councilwoman Raquetta Dotley told Councilman Henderson, “I have been kind and I have been nice. I have set through these budget sessions and let y’all say whatever you want. You sat in that council chair and cut off every single one of these council members except those two white guys.”
There will be a public hearing on the budget next Tuesday as Henderson aims to get his proposal on the agenda.
