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

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…