Soddy‑Daisy approves first reading of panhandling ordinance after public hearing

The Soddy‑Daisy Board of Commissioners on Aug. 15 approved first reading of an ordinance amending Title 20 of the municipal code to add a new chapter on panhandling, following a public hearing in which residents asked how the rule would be applied.

City Attorney Elliott read the ordinance’s definition and said he relied on a state statute to define "aggressive panhandling" (the transcript does not specify the statute citation). City Manager Burt Johnson told the commission staff had received reports of “aggressive panhandlers in the Wal‑Mart area that were becoming aggressive and approaching individuals as well as motorists,” and Mayor Everett said the behavior had caused traffic backups.

Diane Walker and other residents asked for clarification on where panhandling enforcement would apply and whether people standing at major intersections would be allowed so long as they did not approach vehicles. James Berry asked whether the ordinance would allow individuals to stand at intersections; City Attorney Elliott pointed to First Amendment case law as a constraint and said the ordinance does not ban all panhandling citywide but targets aggressive behavior and certain locations.

Commissioner Shipley moved to approve first reading; Vice‑Mayor Coleman seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

The ordinance language presented at the hearing specifies that it is not intended to prohibit fundraisers organized by schools, churches or civic groups. The record does not include the specific state statute citation read by the city attorney or the ordinance’s final geographic boundaries; those details will be set in subsequent readings or implementing rules.

Next steps: the ordinance passed first reading and may return for a second reading and final vote at a later meeting.