[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6558488,"mediaKeyId","3247183-da2f350f4aead2a43b68eb314639c7f5","parentId",3247183,"title","East Ridge council approves grants and contracts, hears FY2025-26 budget; city manager proposes modest sanitation fee increase","audioSeconds",1016,"startMs",2704000,"endMs",3720000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247183-da2f350f4aead2a43b68eb314639c7f5&start=2704&end=3720","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247183-da2f350f4aead2a43b68eb314639c7f5/thumbnail_2704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558488/East-Ridge/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/East-Ridge-council-approves-grants-and-contracts-hears-FY2025-26-budget-city-manager-proposes-modest-sanitation-fee-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558488-3ceaa823e96d5f1d6779202ed345a5cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135606&Signature=K2H6OBxux-n-OULS~BMO0Gb4NRPtSHrwBuzfwAVGaR98-b2jZz74Gt7cby797o2ed0m5miFxymYyI5H3q5AC0CAE8GC5S50cTZZk8aATGccjRHl3e~wzRVGc8IxvIm0SZQtSPZkIK7395xXaRxCTJu~BU2GXPyU5ALzLTDF1X9a-ezlItdViAmYnx8DCH6bgcsJ9lfHb-sl0heGkrd7T0KXWe41dqT0neHujTEoW6UFYmbMG~6HkH0yx8t63u1wCPXw90bciQVQWGoAZIsr5mBDaayxceOPjWybrWUKArBEfntxbWMu6dl1XVbSpYSU2amAtgnsxN-IpRlVRUwIyCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Ridge","date","2025-05-09T16:01:29Z","article","The East Ridge City Council on May 8 approved several funding actions and heard a full presentation of the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget from City Manager Miller.

Resolutions approved included accepting a Hamilton County Homeland Security grant to equip East Ridge Fire Department apparatus with ballistic vests for active‑shooter response, approving a state grant amendment that adds $60,000 to the community center renovation matching grant, a two‑year contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to mow the I‑75 Exit 1 interchange on a reimbursement basis, and a waiver of facility fees for a nonprofit car and toy show at Camp Jordan Arena.

Fire Chief Williams described the Homeland Security grant as county‑coordinated equipment for active‑shooter scenarios: the award will provide ballistic vests to be kept on first‑due apparatus at no cost to the city. The council approved the resolution for that grant (Resolution 36‑81) on a roll call vote.

City Manager Miller presented the proposed FY2025‑26 budget and highlighted several points: the city’s total proposed all‑funds budget is $45,180,801 with a general operating fund of roughly $27 million; the budget is structured to be revenue neutral on property‑tax receipts following the county reassessment (the city will lower its tax rate to generate approximately the same property‑tax revenue as the prior year, while capturing taxes from new construction); and the city plans capital projects and staffing changes tied to new facilities, including Venue 1921.

“This budget is based on a revenue neutral position with taxes,” Miller said, noting the city is awaiting certified reassessment figures from the county and will roll back the 1.25 tax rate to an amount that produces the same total property tax revenue as the current year. Miller said staff expects to receive reassessment figures in mid‑May and will update council before first reading of the budget. He also listed recent and near‑term commercial and residential projects coming onto the tax rolls, from restaurant and retail openings to multiple residential subdivisions and apartment projects.

Miller described planned personnel additions tied to the new multipurpose facility (Venue 1921): two full‑time positions (one marketing/booking hire in August and a custodial/maintenance hire when Venue 1921 opens in early 2026). He also proposed a 3% across‑the‑board salary increase and continued performance evaluation raises.

During the budget discussion Miller raised the sanitation/solid‑waste fund’s structural shortfall: disposal fees have risen (transfer station disposal rose from $33/ton to $43.75/ton), and existing sanitation assessment fees — unchanged for roughly 20 years — currently do not cover operating and capital needs. “So what I am proposing, that we increase the fees from $15 per month to $17 per month for residential,” Miller said; on the commercial side he proposed raising the annual fee from $240 to $264. Miller said the increase would not eliminate the shortfall but would make a “major dent” in the fund’s deficit. Council did not take a final vote on fees at the meeting; Miller said staff will return with detailed options.

Other budget highlights Miller presented: capital outlays for police vehicle replacements, shop and street equipment, fire rescue tools to outfit a new apparatus, $700,000 for street resurfacing and a multi‑million dollar allocation tied to the North Mac Smith Road widening project, and $2,118,000 appropriated for the community center expansion (with the state’s extra $60,000 reducing the city contribution proportionately). Miller recommended preserving an unassigned general‑fund balance (he cited a current unassigned balance near $10 million after committed obligations) and cautioned against further use of fund balance except for emergencies.

Council approved the TDOT mowing contract (Resolution 36‑83), which will reimburse the city $9,800 for mowing roughly 55 acres at the I‑75 Exit 1 interchange over 24 months; council members questioned whether the reimbursement covers the city’s actual costs but approved the arrangement. Council also approved the state grant amendment for the community center (Resolution 36‑82) — the state added $60,000 in matching funds and the city committed to match — and unanimously approved the Camp Jordan fee waiver for the East Ridge Needy Child Fund (Resolution 36‑84), a local 501(c)(3) that staff said typically raises about $5,000 at the event.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call for each resolution. Council also approved the consent agenda and other routine items.

The city manager said staff will provide reassessment figures and an updated budget report at the May 22 meeting and the budget will be presented for first reading on June 12 and second reading on June 26 if on schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 5/8/25","oneSentenceSummary","The East Ridge City Council on May 8 approved grant and contract measures including a Homeland Security grant for ballistic vests, a $60,000 state grant amendment for a community center project, and a TDOT mowing contract, and received a full presentation of the proposed FY2025‑26 budget.","taxTitle","East Ridge, Hamilton County, Tennessee","taxId",70972,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558492,"East Ridge council adds 'preferred' qualifications for zoning and housing board appointees; ordinance 12-17 amended on first reading",978,1017000,1995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3247183-da2f350f4aead2a43b68eb314639c7f5&start=1017&end=1995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3247183-da2f350f4aead2a43b68eb314639c7f5/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6558492/East-Ridge/Hamilton-County/Tennessee/East-Ridge-council-adds-preferred-qualifications-for-zoning-and-housing-board-appointees-ordinance-12-17-amended-on-first-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558492-ac51ab949709a02cb6a7874c64c71d32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135606&Signature=Eif9Bbd8spkRj1V4YI3Ihl4PMoUV8KrFhEZ7sGAeGSjvzuf5g6Le0FC9UOrw29QU8YRSaWt9d-yVsqHYnJlqb8~xpAH1sYfJar70E-jHlwdfr3l3usqv4e0-Q8PYkJFLzODC0mCSctWXuzUjj-VwHNKqmk67jkvBEMkVOys7KbvLvnr6YQmr2KSyMF-0wVbtlz78mPfdf985EBGJgaKU52SKYHX7Og6Kf2-ItOLzFZLKfWcD99b0Cpih0qQQTImJwGt8XB8EaZX-QO7SRpilWxhuNrEjpH0zu5JsIUNz3LEfgotyFv9iRkTRyChrP9~e3pNKttO93hVAiBDke3wOcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Ridge City Council on May 8 amended an ordinance governing the Board of Zoning Appeals to direct council members to consider preferred professional skills — though not require them — when appointing residents to the board. The council also approved a parallel amendment to the Housing Commission ordinance on second and final reading.

Council member Robert Witt introduced the change during debate on Ordinance 12-17, saying the board makes final decisions and the city should encourage applicants with experience relevant to built‑environment review. “Some of the experience that we need to have on that board is architecture, building and site construction, civil engineering, comprehensive plan and land use plan knowledge, real estate development,” Witt said. He proposed language directing council members to consider preferred skills such as building inspection, architect, contractor, civil engineer, fire‑protection professional, public works or realtor experience.

City staff and other council members discussed making the list advisory rather than mandatory so current members would not be forced off boards and to preserve broad applicant pools. The amendment ultimately adds a sentence to the ordinance that those appointing to the Board of Zoning Appeals should consider preferred skills “including, but not limited to” a short list of construction, engineering and related backgrounds; the draft language also allows for “other relevant experience.”

Council member Witt offered a matching amendment to Ordinance 12-18, which governs the East Ridge Housing Commission, arguing the housing board’s duties — including condemnation and demolition hearings — benefit from relevant technical expertise. That amendment (preferred, not required) was approved and Ordinance 12-18 passed on second and final reading as amended.

Votes at the meeting followed recorded roll calls. On the motion to adopt Ordinance 12-17 as amended on first reading the amendment passed (Vice Mayor Tyler: Yes; Council member Cagle: abstain on the amendment; Council member Ozell/Ezell: Yes; Council member Witt: Yes; Mayor Williams: Yes) and the ordinance was approved as amended on first reading. On Ordinance 12-18 the amendment passed and the ordinance was approved as amended on second and final reading.

The council directed staff to prepare revised application materials for board appointments that will highlight the preferred skills and provide an area for applicants to document relevant certifications or licenses. Officials said the change is intended to encourage applicants with technical experience while keeping the requirement advisory so the council still may appoint residents who bring other relevant perspectives.

The changes return for second reading in the council’s regular schedule for Ordinance 12-17; Ordinance 12-18 was enacted at this meeting.

The council also handled several other routine agenda items at the May 8 meeting, including a consent agenda and presentations, but the zoning and housing board amendments prompted the lengthiest policy discussion on qualifications for quasi‑judicial boards.","On May 8 the East Ridge City Council amended Ordinance 12-17 on first reading to ask that council appointees to the Board of Zoning Appeals be selected with certain preferred skills; it also approved amendments adding similar preferred skills to the Housing Commission (Ordinance 12-18) on second and final reading.","actionData","errors"]

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East Ridge council approves grants and contracts, hears FY2025-26 budget; city manager proposes modest sanitation fee increase

East Ridge council adds 'preferred' qualifications for zoning and housing board appointees; ordinance 12-17 amended on first reading