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.
- Proposed independent county planning department to guide more responsible and intentional growth in unincorporated areas of the county.
- Partnered with Sen. Bo Watson to secure $45 million in funding in Gov. Lee’s budget to create Tennessee’s 70th State Park on 1,300 acres at McDonald Farm, preserving the iconic property for generations to come. The state park represents the largest parks investment in the county’s history and one of the most successful conservation efforts in generations.
- Successfully protected the historic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, opposing plans from out-of-town developers to build a 12 story building just feet away.
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.
- Partnered with Sheriff Garrett and proposed funding to create a MAT program at the Hamilton County Jail to give addicted inmates opportunities to get clean while incarcerated.
- Proposed $250,000 of funding and led efforts to create career training opportunities (electrical, carpentry, and cosmetology) at the Hamilton County Jail for inmates to develop skills and improve their future while incarcerated.
- Proposed funding for Homeward Bound program, which has successfully returned 100 homeless individuals to their hometown, many of whom had been incarcerated.
- Partnered with local nonprofit GregO2 to place more than 1,000 anti-choking LifeVac devices in local restaurants and first responder vehicles in coordination with the Hamilton County Health Department.
- Returned Hotel/Motel funds to the Lookout Valley community by investing in a new splash pad for local families and visitors to enjoy at the John A. Patten Community Center.
Investing in Infrastructure & Smart Growth
Investing in Infrastructure & Smart Growth
- 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.
- Proposed independent county planning department to guide more responsible and intentional growth in unincorporated areas of the county.
- Partnered with Sen. Bo Watson to secure $45 million in funding in Gov. Lee’s budget to create Tennessee’s 70th State Park on 1,300 acres at McDonald Farm, preserving the iconic property for generations to come. The state park represents the largest parks investment in the county’s history and one of the most successful conservation efforts in generations.
- Successfully protected the historic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Basilica, opposing plans from out-of-town developers to build a 12 story building just feet away.
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.
- Convened local leaders and proposed $500,000 in funding to create an immersive Chattanooga & Hamilton County “History Experience” in downtown Chattanooga, which will be created by Hamilton County students in partnership with local filmmakers.
- Negotiated a long-term lease with local developers to relieve taxpayers of the ongoing liability of maintaining the former jail facility, which will now generate revenue for county government and activate a dormant block in downtown Chattanooga.
