City Budget Committee Talks Employee Benefits, Counting Pennies & Fireworks

City departments and publicly-funded agencies got an idea this afternoon of where city council is going on next year's budget---they will be arguing and debating over every penny.

It's no surprise that council is pledging to cut the mayor's 64-cent tax increase, but how to do it occupied much of the Tuesday afternoon budget meeting.

Final Funding for primary agencies like police, fire and public works is still to be decided....along with the funding for retirement programs.

DAISY MADISON, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER "We want to be consistent with other municipalities state and local government in what we provide as a post benefit."

Council members listened to city financial officer Daisy Madison, but made no promises.

But, when it comes to local traditions like fireworks shows, the budget shortfall could become painfully evident. River City Company CEO Kim White says her agency picked-up the slack when the Downtown partnership was dissolved, hosting Winter Days and Lights, and other traditions. But River City asked for 125-thousand dollars and is getting only 80-thousand.

KIM WHITE, CEO OF RIVER CITY COMPANY "We would be open to deferring this additional 40 thousand for the next budget year if it would allow the fireworks to go on."

That decision could put Pops in the Park in jeopardy. Although time is short, he committee says---we'll get back to you.

Council members, looking ahead to dozens of hearings and penny-pinching..first looked for ways to handle the load. Debra Scott proposed leaving out any more presentations from agencies and departments.

DEBRA SCOTT, COUNCIL MEMBER "I would rather have the information in front of me and ask a question if I have one."

Looking to cut anywhere he can, Councilman Jack Benson referred to one request for money he didn't think was appropriate.

JACK BENSON, COUNCIL MEMBER "...it'll cut out about 4 cents is all, I guess, but still it's the only way we're going to make this thing come down."

Mayor Ron Littlefield, who sat quietly through most of the meeting, restated his case.

MAYOR RON LITTLEFIELD, CHATTANOOGA "I've been through this a few times before..and if people will remember..just a few days ago people were saying we need more police officers, they need to be paid better, we need more this, we need more that...we need the recreation centers to be open late...and so I've proposed that in my budget."

That proposed tax increase would raise the rate from 1.93 cents to 2.57 cents per hundred.

Budget Committee chairman Carol Berz says the work will be divided over three-weeks with city departments getting all the attention next week.

The following week it'll be agencies, with benefits the focus of the budget meeting in three weeks.