Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has proposed a balanced $345 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year — an $8.75 million increase from last year's proposal.

We're here to break down some major numbers + focal points so you don't have to sift through the 600+ page proposal (unless you really love money talk).

Primary departments being funded

The Police, Fire, and Public Works Departments make up 59% of the outlined operations budget — highlighting the city's priority on public safety + infrastructure.

Now, let's see where $41.5 million in capital investments could go — such as more than $1 million set aside for early learning centers.

Public safety + infrastructure

$468,064 | Chattanooga Fire Department equipment maintenance
$250,000 | Portable street bollards to enhance crowd safety
$6 million | Paving — in addition to $4 million approved in February, totaling $10 million invested
$2.85 million | Public transit
$9.1 million | Complete Wilcox Bridge replacement funding + Walnut Street Bridge contingencies
$4.3 million | South Broad's roads, sidewalks, and water infrastructure
$7 million | Expanding capacity at Birchwood Landfill

Parks + community spaces

$1 million | General maintenance
$2.75 million | "Evolving our Riverfront Parks" plan
$1.6 million | Split between projects in Carver + Montague Parks, a new senior center, and the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway

Affordable housing

$2 million | Renter + homeowner rehabilitation (split evenly)
$500,000 | AIM Center Espero Project
$6.6 million | Chattanooga Housing Authority (James A. Henry + Westside Evolves restoration projects)

Bonus: The budget outlines continued funding for community organizations like the Chattanooga Design Studio ($70,000), Chattanooga Tourism Co. ($1.05 million), CO.LAB ($500,000), The Enterprise Center ($1.7 million) + more.

Public involvement

The City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will host educational sessions on Tuesdays — May 13 + May 20. A public hearing will also be conducted on May 20. Stay tuned for more information on times.

The City Council will discuss and vote on the budget on Tuesday, June 3 + Tuesday, June 10. Pro tip: You can watch all of these proceedings via YouTube.