Chattanooga protests in support of racial equality have been going on for more than a week, and organizers have a list of demands, some of which are connected to the city’s budget.
You can see the list of demands here, which includes items such as divestment from the police department.
We’re outlining details you need to know if you want city council members to hear your voice.
- There’s a lot of budget information online at the city’s portal. For example, click here if you want to see a breakdown of the police budget by department.
- Tuesday, June 9 at 6 p.m. is a public hearing on the budget. Council members will be discussing the police budget per a request from Councilman Russell Gilbert. The public is also allowed to attend the budget and finance meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 9. Members of the public aren’t allowed to speak at this meeting though. Join the metings online here. (The meetings are online only now because of COVID-19).
- If you want to speak to the council at 6 p.m., you must sign up ahead of time.
- Anyone who wants the council to address an issue should reach out to their district council member so they can put it on the agenda. Here’s a list of council members and their districts.
- It takes five council members to approve the budget.
- The first of two readings of the budget is set for June 16. After the first reading, there is more time for discussion before the second reading, which hasn’t been set yet. Officials said that speaking to the council is the best way to alert them of an issue.
- This year’s budget is tighter than most years, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.