Chattanooga City Council Considers Social and Economic Equity Study to Address Community Disparities
The Chattanooga City Council is currently discussing the possibility of conducting a social and economic equity study in order to assess and address disparities within the community. The study, proposed by Council Member Demetrus Coonrod, aims to shed light on longstanding gaps within the city and provide policy recommendations for improvement.
During a recent strategic planning meeting, Coonrod highlighted the need to take action on these disparities that have been plaguing the community for decades. She emphasized that the issue affects not just the Black community, but all communities in Chattanooga.
The study would be carried out by the staff at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and could take between four to six months to complete. Marcus Mauldin, an associate professor of political science and public service, presented the proposal to the council and estimated the cost to be slightly over $19,000, which would be covered by the council’s budget.
Mauldin explained that the study is based on the observation that the benefits of the city’s growth and development have not been equally distributed among the population. It aims to examine economic outcomes, educational outcomes, healthcare outcomes, and other areas where disparities exist. The study would also provide policy recommendations to address these disparities.
The idea for the study originated from Coonrod, who approached Mauldin with the concept back in April. While the approach would be data-driven, there may also be opportunities for community input to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
During the council meeting, Council Member Chip Henderson raised concerns about how the study would align with the One Chattanooga plan, a broad strategic effort launched by Mayor Tim Kelly to address gaps in various areas like early learning, housing, infrastructure, and public health. Jermaine Freeman, the Interim Chief of Staff, acknowledged that the administration has not been involved in drafting the proposal and cannot speak to how it ties into the One Chattanooga plan.
Council Member Carol Berz questioned whether there would be redundancy with previous assessments, such as the Urban League’s State of Black Chattanooga and a disparity study conducted during the tenure of former Mayor Andy Berke. Freeman assured that the disparity study remains a guiding policy document for Mayor Kelly’s administration, and they have great respect for the Urban League. However, he suggested that collaboration with the Department of Equity and Community Engagement could be beneficial.
Vice Chair Jenny Hill expressed her support for the study, noting that it would complement the work done by the Urban League and provide valuable insights for future policy decisions. Council Chair Raquetta Dotley also backed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of crafting legislation that ensures equity for all residents of Chattanooga.
The council is currently deliberating on whether to proceed with the equity study, which could significantly contribute to addressing community disparities and fostering a more inclusive city.
