Better Hamilton County

This community blog was created for the sole purpose of keeping Hamilton County, Tennessee residents informed and included in the important issues, government reports and public systems that affect our lives.

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CVB Beyond The Auditor’s Report

CLICK HERE to Download full report

Since the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners enacted Resolution 207-27 on February 2007, CVB has received 100% of Hamilton County’s Hotel/Motel Occupancy Privilege Tax less any debt service monies obligated at the time the resolution was enacted. The CVB now has a budget exceeding $7 million.  This report goes beyond the focus of the County Auditor’s reports of February 22, 2017, released by Jenneth Randall, and June 09, 2016, released by former County Auditor Bill McGriff.  The focus of the two auditor’s reports was to access their (CVB) compliance with the provisions ofHamilton County Government Resolution No. 207-27. This report focuses on how CVB manages millions of dollars of Hamilton County Government funds.  Where it spends the money and what policies and procedures CVB follow in spending the people’s money.

I would like to take this time to thank Jenneth Randall, the Hamilton County Auditor, and her staff for supplying the requested documentation and information.  Without the information supplied by the Auditor’s Office this report would not have been possible.  I also thank Bob Doak, CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB), and his staff for meeting with me on March 15, 2017, to allow me the opportunity to meet the management staff of CVB and ask pertinent questions concerning the promotional activities of the CVB.

Regards, Tim Boyd Hamilton County Commissioner

[betterhamiltoncounty-blog]

The WWTA problem exposed in this report is a dangerous example of how government can overreach into our lives. The original mission statement was simple, but government bureaucrats have since expanded WWTA’s authority with no accountability. 

CLICK HERE to Download the full report

My name is Tim Boyd and I represent Hamilton County District 8. About 45% of my constituents are City of Chattanooga residents and the remaining are City of East Ridge residents. Shortly after becoming District 8 County Commissioner in August 2010, I began receiving phone calls and emails from my East Ridge constituents complaining about the Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority (WWTA). In general, these complaints were related to an individual's WWTA bill, poor customer service, a lack of respect from WWTA, and/or general frustration dealing with a bureaucratic government agency that seemed to be out of control. But after years of phone calls and emails, recent community meetings, and my own research, I began to see a side of this issue that both surprised me and angered me.

This report was made possible by the concerned citizens of Hamilton County, Tennessee. I want to thank all of the citizens of Hamilton County who shared their WWTA stories both at the community meetings and with me privately. Special thanks to Mike Keefe and Gene Shipley who provided information and insight into the operations of the WWTA. I also want to thank Howard Cotter, Commissioners Sabrena Smedley, and Randy Fairbanks for co-hosting the community meetings in Red Bank, East Brainerd and Soddy Daisy.

I will continue to share reports with you via this website. Please share these posts on social media and let’s hold our leadership accountable. Together, we can make a better Hamilton County. 

Thank you for your support,

Tim Boyd, Hamilton County Commissioner - District 8

Ask me anything - [email protected]