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 Approves $4.8 Million Budget for 2025-2026 Fiscal Year with Infrastructure and Community Improvements
The City of Soddy Daisy has taken a significant step towards enhancing its infrastructure and community services by approving a budget of $4.8 million for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2026. This decision was made during a recent city commission meeting held on Thursday night.
The approved budget indicates a commitment to maintaining the city’s financial stability while addressing community needs. Last year, the property tax rate was raised to $1.32 for every $100 of assessed property value. With the most recent reappraisal, property values have increased across the board. As a result, Hamilton County provided a new certified tax rate for Soddy Daisy, computed to preserve the same tax revenue as in the previous year.
The certified tax rate for Soddy Daisy has been set at $0.907 for fiscal year 2026, ensuring that the city’s property tax revenue remains at $4.8 million. City commissioners have decided to maintain the current rate of $1.32 on a temporary basis, with plans to revisit and possibly adjust the rate during a review meeting scheduled for late July or early August.
A significant portion of the budget, totaling $2.5 million, is earmarked for the ongoing construction of a new municipal building behind city hall, with around $600,000 already spent on the project. In addition, a budget allocation of $500,000 is set aside for improvements at Holly Park. This funding includes $250,000 from the city alongside a matching grant from Hamilton County.
Improvements planned for Holly Park are extensive and include enhancements to boat parking, widening the existing boat ramp, adding a second boat ramp, and upgrading the concession stand at the girls’ softball fields. Additionally, new restrooms will be constructed at North Park.
The budget also addresses operational needs across various departments. It includes provisions for purchasing several pickup trucks for the public works department and three patrol vehicles for the police department. Moreover, funds are allocated for acquiring extrication tools for the fire department, ensuring that first responders are well-equipped.
In a forward-looking effort, $140,000 is allocated for hiring consultants to create a comprehensive plan that will guide future development in the city. This strategic planning aims to enhance community growth and development sustainably over the coming years.
Preparations are also underway for the annual Independence Day celebration, with new safety rules introduced this year. For the first time, camping will be allowed for three nights, although overnight camping tents will be prohibited between Durham and Depot Streets. The city is actively seeking volunteers for this event, as current participation levels are insufficient to meet the demands of the occasion.
Further enhancing local infrastructure, new uniform signs for all city parks have been approved, with a budget of up to $12,000 allocated to this initiative. To improve police communications, the City Council has decided to spend $14,100 on portable Motorola radios for the Soddy Daisy Police Department, motivated by an anticipated price increase.
Concerns about public safety have prompted action regarding playground mulch originally sourced from a long-standing supplier. Reports of nails and metal pieces found in the mulch have led city officials to take immediate measures to rectify the situation.
Social services within the community are also seeing increased need, as Curtis Cecil from the Kelcurt Foundation noted a 35% increase in needy families seeking food assistance, with 15 new families registering each week. Kelcurt Farms has stepped in to support local needs by donating all grown produce, with 10% directed to the Soddy Daisy Food Bank, alongside seasonal food distributions at the library.
The Kelcurt Bakery contributes to community wellbeing by providing 20 to 40 loaves of sourdough bread monthly, having donated a total of 170 pounds of food to the local food bank this year. The library is also partnering with the local Lions Club to offer vision screening and hosts “Free Book Fridays,” providing free books to visitors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
City officials remind residents of the importance of direct notification regarding any issues experienced within the community to help improve response times and foster better outcomes.
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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
Author: Construction NY News
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