How are budgets decided?

Government budget season is underway as officials in Hamilton County, its 10 cities and towns, and the school district decide how to spend your tax dollars. The flurry of finance meetings can get confusing, so here’s a quick, high-level overview.

Hamilton County and Chattanooga budgets

In a typical year, the county and city mayors propose their budgets in late spring. It’s then up to the eleven county commissioners and nine City Council members to approve them.

This year isn’t typical, though. Property assessor Marty Haynes has finished reappraising all the property in Hamilton County, which will trigger a new, lower tax rate to balance huge increases in property values. Then, the city and county each have a chance to raise that new rate back up.  Will your taxes go up? Watch the video below to learn what to expect. 

In previous reappraisal years, Hamilton County has passed a budget at the end of June and decided a tax rate in August or September.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly presented a balanced budget to City Council on May 6, but the administration plans to amend the budget later this year when they set a final tax rate.

Public city budget meetings:

May 6, 3:30 p.m.: Mayor Tim Kelly’s office presented budget to City Council

May 13, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Budget education session at City Council building. 1000 Lindsay St.

May 20 : Budget education session from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Public hearing at 3:30 p.m. at City Council building 1000 Lindsay St.

June 3, 3:30 p.m.: City Council takes first vote on budget during regular meeting

Schools budget

Hamilton County School Board members approved a budget on May 8, which they developed in coordination with the superintendent. The budget will go next to the Hamilton County Commission as the largest single component of the county budget. 
 
Last year, the mayor’s office and commission allocated about 43% of county property tax revenue to HCS.

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Contact William at william@chattamatters.com