News Summary
The City of Soddy Daisy has passed a $4.8 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and community amenities. Key allocations include funding for a new municipal building, park improvements, and essential equipment for public services. The budget also addresses property tax adjustments and outlines plans for community events, volunteer opportunities, and social support initiatives amidst rising food assistance demands.
Soddy Daisy Passes $4.8 Million Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
The City of Soddy Daisy has officially approved a budget of $4.8 million for the upcoming fiscal year, which will run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. This decision was made during a recent commission meeting aimed at addressing the city’s infrastructure and community development needs.
Adjustments to Property Tax Rate
Amid rising property values from this year’s reappraisal, the city’s property tax rate was raised last year to $1.32 for each $100 of assessed property. Hamilton County has calculated a new certified tax rate for Soddy Daisy, aimed at maintaining the city’s tax revenues at the same level as the previous fiscal year. Thus, the new certified tax rate for the 2026 fiscal year will be set at $0.907. To ensure stability, city commissioners have decided to keep the rate at $1.32 on a temporary basis, pending a review meeting scheduled for the end of July or early August.
Plans for Infrastructure Improvements
This year’s budget plans to allocate a significant portion, approximately $2.5 million, towards constructing a new municipal building located behind city hall. Currently, about $600,000 has already been expended on this project. Additionally, “Holly Park” will receive $500,000 for various improvements, funded by $250,000 from the city along with a matching grant from Hamilton County. Enhancements in Holly Park will feature new boat parking, a widened boat ramp, a second boat ramp, upgrades to the concession stand at the girls’ softball fields, and the addition of new restrooms at North Park.
Public Safety and Development Initiatives
The budget also includes allocations for essential equipment upgrades, such as purchasing several pickup trucks for the public works department, three patrol vehicles for the police department, and extrication tools for the fire department.
A sum of $140,000 has been earmarked for consultants to develop a comprehensive plan that will guide the city’s future development efforts.
Community Engagement and Events
Preparations for the annual Independence Day celebration are underway, which will introduce new safety regulations. Changes include allowing camping for three nights and prohibiting overnight camping tents between Durham and Depot Streets. The city is actively seeking volunteers for this vibrant event, as current volunteer numbers have proven inadequate.
The approval of new, uniform signs for all city parks has also been confirmed, with a budget allocation of up to $12,000 for this initiative. Furthermore, the City Council is set to spend $14,100 on portable Motorola radios for the Soddy Daisy Police Department, anticipating a price surge.
Community Aid and Collaboration
In a collaborative initiative, the Kelcurt Foundation has reported a staggering 35% increase in families requesting food assistance, with around 15 new families registering weekly. Kelcurt Farms has pledged all produce grown to support the Soddy Daisy Food Bank, generating 170 pounds of food this year. The organization’s bakery also provides 20-40 loaves of sourdough bread monthly.
The local library, in conjunction with the Lions Club, continues its efforts in providing vision screenings and conducts “Free Book Fridays,” giving away books to attendees.
Importance of Communication
Residents are reminded about the essential role of direct notifications to city officials regarding issues they may face, significantly enhancing the response time for problem resolution.
In summary, Soddy Daisy’s new budget is poised to facilitate important infrastructure projects, public safety enhancements, and community support initiatives, reflecting the city’s commitment to improving residents’ lives.
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Additional Resources
- Chattanooga News: Soddy Daisy 2025-2026 Budget
- Wikipedia: Soddy-Daisy
- Times Free Press: Heartbroken Soddy Daisy Resident
- Google Search: Soddy Daisy news
- Local 3 News: Chattanooga City Council Approves Budget
- Google Scholar: Soddy Daisy budget 2025
- Times Free Press: Soddy Daisy City Commission Candidates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soddy Daisy
- Chattanooga News: Person Escapes Burning Boat
- Google News: Soddy Daisy community
