Soddy-Daisy commissioners approve $14,000 annual payment, conditional sign-off, for Sneed Road cell-tower lease

Mayor Coleman and the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved allowing the city to sign a lease with Hamilton County for a cell tower on Sneed Road after the City Attorney reviews the final language. City Manager Johnson told commissioners he would sign the lease once City Attorney Elliott approves the wording and said the city's annual payment will be $14,000 while Hamilton County's annual fee will be $24,000.

City Manager Johnson said the county has received a grant and roughly $1 million worth of equipment is expected to be installed on the new tower. He also said the city will stop paying for a previous mass-notification service, Everbridge, which cost about $8,500 a year; Johnson said those savings would be applied toward the city's tower fee.

Fire Chief Dusty Morgan and Police Chief Petty described expected operational benefits. Police Chief Petty said the tower should eliminate existing radio dead spots and "fix all of the radio issues" the city currently experiences; Fire Chief Morgan said the new tower will provide coverage to the entire area rather than relying on existing coverage from White Oak Mountain near I-75.

Commissioner Everett moved to approve the $14,000 annual payment and to authorize signing after City Attorney Elliott signs off on the lease language; Commissioner Keith seconded. The motion passed with an unanimous vote of the members present: Mayor Coleman, Vice-Mayor Penney, Commissioners Beene, Everett and Keith.

The commission did not provide a specific lease term other than City Manager Johnson's remark that the arrangement would be long-term and likely include escalator clauses; he characterized the intent as effectively permanent but said this would be reflected in the contract language approved by the city attorney. The lease will be signed by city officials only after the attorney confirms acceptable terms.