An aerial view of Soddy Daisy highlighting the parks and ongoing community projects.
The City of Soddy Daisy has passed a $4.8 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, aimed at enhancing infrastructure and community amenities. Key allocations include funding for a new municipal building, park improvements, and essential equipment for public services. The budget also addresses property tax adjustments and outlines plans for community events, volunteer opportunities, and social support initiatives amidst rising food assistance demands.
The City of Soddy Daisy has officially passed a $4.8 million budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a city commission meeting held on Thursday night. This budget is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will run until June 30, 2026. It marks a significant step towards improving the city’s infrastructure and enhancing community amenities.
Last year, the property tax rate in Soddy Daisy was raised to $1.32 for every $100 of assessed property value. This year, property reappraisal values have seen an increase across most properties. Based on the newly assessed values, Hamilton County has provided a certified tax rate intended to keep the city’s revenue consistent with the previous year.
The certified tax rate for fiscal year 2026 has been established at $0.907, which will help maintain the same level of property tax revenue at $4.8 million. City commissioners have decided to keep the tax rate at $1.32 on an interim basis, with plans for a review meeting scheduled for later in July or early August to consider possible adjustments.
A significant portion of the budget, $2.5 million, has been allocated for the new municipal building currently under construction behind city hall, with approximately $600,000 already spent. Additionally, $500,000 is earmarked for improvements to Holly Park, which includes contributions of $250,000 from the city and a matching grant from Hamilton County.
The improvements planned for Holly Park encompass a range of activities, including increased boat parking, widening the existing boat ramp, adding a second boat ramp, enhancing the concession stand at the girls’ softball fields, and constructing new restrooms at North Park.
The budget also contains provisions for essential upgrades, including purchasing several pickup trucks for the public works department, three patrol vehicles for the police department, and extrication tools for the fire department. Additionally, $140,000 is set aside for hiring consultants to develop a comprehensive plan to guide ongoing and future development within the city.
Preparations for the annual Independence Day celebration are already underway. The city plans new safety measures for the event, will allow camping for three nights, while also prohibiting overnight camping tents between Durham and Depot Streets. The city is actively seeking volunteers for the Fourth of July festivities, as current volunteer numbers are falling short.
In a move to enhance community aesthetics and communication, new, uniform signs for all city parks have been approved with a budget of up to $12,000. Furthermore, a $14,100 expenditure on portable Motorola radios for the Soddy Daisy Police Department has been prioritized due to an expected price increase.
On the social service front, the Kelcurt Foundation has reported a 35% increase in families seeking food assistance, with 15 new families registering weekly for their programs. In response, Kelcurt Farms is donating all produce, allocating ten percent to the Soddy Daisy Food Bank, while the local library distributes seasonal food to its visitors. Additionally, the Kelcurt Bakery is donating 20-40 loaves of sourdough bread each month, contributing around 170 pounds of food to the food bank this year.
The library has also been active in community engagement by partnering with the local Lions Club to provide vision screenings, and they host “Free Book Fridays,” handing out free books to visitors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Residents are reminded to notify the city directly about any issues they encounter, which is crucial for improving response times and overall community service.
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