Training and Educating the Next Generation
Training and Educating the Next Generation
- Secured the $10 million purchase of the Golden Gateway site for the Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, a new downtown vocational high school opening in 2027 that will ensure every student in Hamilton County has the opportunity to pursue career training.
- Championed millions in new investments and expansion in career and technical education at schools in Soddy-Daisy, Harrison, East Ridge, Howard, and Hixson, creating hundreds of new career pathways for students.
- Led passage of a $250 million plan to modernize school facilities across Hamilton County, including an innovative YMCA elementary school in Hixson, a full renovation of Soddy-Daisy Middle, and a new Brainerd Middle-High School.
- Proposed $65 million in long-overdue school improvements, from replacing HVAC systems and leaky roofs to building new gyms and playgrounds.
- Partnered with the YMCA to create the state’s first YMCA school at North River, expanding innovative education opportunities that strengthen community ties.
Supporting Families & Safe Communities
Supporting Families & Safe Communities
- Invested over $10 million in youth recreation, including new turf fields at seven high schools and new playgrounds countywide, from Birchwood to East Brainerd.
- Partnered with local cities to fund $2 million in parks and quality-of-life projects in Collegedale, East Ridge, Soddy-Daisy, Walden, Signal Mountain, Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, and Red Bank.
- Led Efforts to Revitalize the Chattanooga Riverfront and improved parks from Birchwood to St. Elmo, making Hamilton County a better place to raise a family.
- Partnered with the Creative Discovery Museum to give every Hamilton County kindergartner and their family free admission, encouraging learning and exploration.
- Reopened the County Fair at McDonald Farm, welcoming tens of thousands to celebrate Hamilton County’s heritage and future.
- Opened the county’s first community and senior center at the former Harrison Elementary School, supported by a $1.8 million state grant.
- Strengthened public safety with historic pay increases for first responders, full staffing of Hamilton County EMS for the first time in years, and the addition of a 17th ambulance to reduce response times.
- Launched the state’s first Overdose Prevention Team within Hamilton County EMS to combat the opioid epidemic.
- Funded the state’s only dedicated opioid prosecutor, holding drug traffickers accountable with dozens of successful prosecutions.
- Expanded the Veterans Service Office, ensuring Hamilton County veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.
Investing in Infrastructure
Investing in Infrastructure
- Created the County Roads Fund, dedicating $20 million to road safety and traffic improvements.
- Since taking office in 2022, the county has paved 200 lane miles.
- Prioritized balanced growth by protecting farmland and rural communities, including leadership to preserve historic McDonald Farm.
- Modernized the county’s approach to road safety, adding reflectors to mountain roads and installing driver feedback signs to deter speeding on busy roads.
Protecting Taxpayers & Modernizing Government
Protecting Taxpayers & Modernizing Government
- Passed three consecutive balanced budgets without a tax increase, leading to lowest county property-tax rate since 1941.
- Doubled property-tax relief for more than 4,000 senior citizens and disabled veterans.
- Identified $50 million in taxpayer savings through the County Efficiency Task Force.
- Renegotiated the Lookouts stadium deal, saving county taxpayers $24.9 million.
- Modernized the County Attorney’s Office and recruited top talent to improve efficiency and accountability.
- Introduced term limits for the County Mayor, with the intent to ensure fresh leadership and transparency in county government.
- Vetoed efforts to expand bureaucracy through civil service, keeping county government accountable to taxpayers.
- Introduced Hamilton Counted, a comprehensive quarterly report providing countywide transparency on crime, overdoses, homelessness, education, and more important subjects.
