CHATTANOOGA — The Chattanooga City Council voted 6-2 on first reading to approve a $4.7 million water line project to bring municipal water service to 27 parcels on Raccoon Mountain. The project will be installed by Tennessee American Water Company across Tennessee Valley Authority property.

Council members Chip Henderson, Jeff Davis, Jenny Hill, Dennis Clark, Ron Elliott, and Cody Harvey supported the measure. Councilwoman Marvene Noel voted against it, while Jenni Berz voted present. Councilwoman Raquetta Dotson was absent from the meeting.

“There will be a return on investment. It's just a matter of time,” Councilman Chip Henderson said. It was estimated that city tax collections will increase by $500,000 annually due to anticipated development of some parcels once water service is available.

Noel opposed the expenditure, stating, “I would rather see the money spent for more pressing and widespread needs, instead of spending millions of dollars for just a small number of parcels.” At a prior public hearing, owners of properties in the 100-acre area off Highway 41 in Lookout Valley reported that many of their wells have dried up. Several said they make regular trips to fill large water tanks for household use.

Berz had proposed two amendments that would have required at least 80 percent of property owners to connect to the new water line and imposed a fee on those who opted out to help cover the city’s costs. Henderson asked that the ordinance be passed as submitted, without the amendments. Berz did not offer her proposed amendments for a vote.