Hamilton County commissioners approve $1.12 billion 2027 budget amid public concern over ICE 287(g) program

Hamilton County commissioners voted June 10 to adopt a $1,115,872,379 county budget for fiscal year 2027 and to set the 2026 tax levy, passing Resolution 626-30 on a 9-1 roll call. The meeting, a special called session, also saw passage of Resolution 626-31, making appropriations to nonprofit, charitable and civic organizations for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Public concern centered on the countys collaboration with federal immigration authorities under the 287(g) program. Jess Bonham of District 4 told commissioners that "Every budget is a moral document" and urged transparency on the programs fiscal impact, saying, "Before Hamilton County entered this agreement, an average of 16 people per year were transferred from our jail to immigration authorities. In 2025, that number jumped to 311." She said the sheriffs office has not released financial records showing the programs costs and urged the commission to obtain those records before approving expenditures.

Amanda Kaggel, a Chattanooga resident, said her child attends a majority-Hispanic elementary school and described neighbors who have been "abducted" or who "self-deport[ed]" out of fear. "I don't want my tax money to go towards this program through the sheriff's department," she said. Eddie Bell of District 1 raised a separate concern about Social Security funding, saying, "undocumented immigrants paid approximately 24 million I mean billions billions with a B into social security in 2024 alone," and urged the commission to prioritize enforcement against violent and property crime rather than immigration-related activity.

Commissioners debated the budget before the vote. The finance chair, Commissioner Eversaw, described a months-long review, saying the commission examined five years of department-by-department history and received line-item detail by dollar from staff, and added that "there has been plenty of scrutiny on this year's budget." Commissioner Sharp said he could not support the plan, stating, "I can't support this budget. It falls too short in too many ways," and cast the only no vote. Other commissioners praised the finance team and county staff for producing a tight budget and noted the countys AAA bond rating and recent investments in county services.

The clerk recorded the roll call for Resolution 626-30 as: Baker, Beck, Chanty, Eversaw, Graham, Dr. Highlander, Dr. Mackey, Shipley and Chairman Smith voting yes; Sharp voting no; Helton absent. Resolution 626-31 (appropriations to nonprofits for July 1, 2026 June 30, 2027) was moved by Commissioner Graham, seconded by Commissioner Beck, and approved unanimously.

The meeting concluded with announcements and appreciation for staff; the chair noted that, because this was a special called meeting, items not on the published agenda would be taken up at the next regular meeting. The commission adjourned until its June 17 regular meeting at 5 p.m.