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Hamilton County commission votes to terminate interlocal funding agreement with Chattanooga for regional planning
Summary
The Board approved Resolution 3 26‑15 to end the interlocal agreement funding the Chattanooga‑Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency after extended debate and public testimony; commissioners and residents disagreed over whether the change would improve planning for unincorporated areas or fragment regional coordination.
The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners voted on Resolution 3 26‑15 on March 18 to authorize the county mayor to terminate the interlocal agreement with the City of Chattanooga that funds the Chattanooga‑Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency (RPA).
Commissioner Eversall introduced the measure as an effort to give unincorporated areas greater focused planning attention. Supporters argued the county needs an in‑house planning capacity to address infrastructure, roads, and emergency services in rapidly growing unincorporated districts. Commissioner Eversall said the change would allow a ‘‘pristine deep dive look at the unincorporated area’’ and provide targeted recommendations tailored to county needs.
Opponents warned the move risks fragmentation and could damage regional cooperation with municipalities and the city. Commissioner Graham said ending the agreement “sends a horrible message to the municipalities” and called the action ‘‘divisive.’’ Commissioners asked staff and counsel numerous implementation questions, including whether the county would still participate in the MPO for transportation planning (staff said MPO participation would not change), the certification and hiring plan for planners (staff noted AICP or equivalent experience requirements), and timing tied to fiscal and contractual notice periods (staff and counsel cited a 90‑day notice clause in the interlocal agreement).
Public comment was split. Residents from unincorporated districts described infrastructure shortfalls — narrow two‑lane roads with long detour distances and long emergency response times — and urged more local planning control. Others and some commissioners warned of lost collaboration and questioned whether the county had a fully formed plan for substituting RPA functions.
The resolution passed on roll call; several commissioners voted no. The chair recorded the motion as carried. Commissioners indicated they will define the structure, staffing, and duties of any county planning function in follow‑up work and stated they would be open to amendments or return visits if gaps emerge.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 3 26‑15 (terminate interlocal) — passed on roll call. The clerk recorded votes and the motion was announced as carried.
What’s next: Staff said the county would work through job descriptions and HR processes to recruit qualified planning personnel and that further detail about organizational structure and transition mechanics will be presented to the commission before funds are reallocated.
