The Hamilton County Health & Social Services Division will eliminate 13 positions and close two programs as part of a budget and efficiency review, officials announced.
Employees were notified May 4 that their positions will be cut effective June 30. Two additional vacant roles will also be eliminated. No further staff reductions are planned, according to the county.
The cuts will affect the division’s Dental Clinic on Third Street and the Community Assistance Program, both of which will be discontinued July 1. Patients at the dental clinic will be referred to other providers in the area to maintain continuity of care.
“These decisions are never made lightly,” said Beka Bohannon, administrator of the Health & Social Services Division. “The employees impacted by this decision have served our division and community with dedication, professionalism and compassion.”
County officials cited rising costs and declining program use as key factors. The dental clinic’s operating costs increased from about $1 million in 2021 to nearly $1.5 million in 2025, while supply costs grew more than fivefold over the same period. The clinic recovers about 16 cents for every dollar spent, leaving the county to cover the remainder.
Meanwhile, the Community Assistance Program served about 275 households in 2021 compared with about 150 in 2025, a decline of nearly 46%.
The county will redirect about $60,000 previously allocated to the assistance program to the United Way, which will report annually on how the funds are used and the number of families served.
Other dental services, including the Homeless Health Care Center Dental Clinic and the School-Based Dental Sealant Program, will remain in operation.
“This reduction in force is part of a broader effort to align services and resources within the approved budget while maintaining our core public health priorities,” said David Roddy, the county’s chief operating officer.
The county’s human resources department will assist affected employees with job placement and transition services. Officials said dental supplies from the closing clinic will be redistributed to other programs, and surplus equipment might be donated to local nonprofits.
County sees $346M in April property sales
Hamilton County recorded roughly $346 million in property sales in April, according to the latest report from the Register of Deeds office.
The county collected about $1.3 million in conveyance taxes from those transactions, while mortgage tax collections totaled about $612,000. Total mortgage lending for the month reached approximately $538 million.
Officials reported about 1,300 deeds and 1,400 deeds of trust filed in April, contributing to a total of more than 5,300 recorded documents.
The month’s largest transaction was valued at about $15.4 million, followed by several other high-value sales ranging from roughly $2.3 million to $7.3 million, many located in Chattanooga.
The report reflects steady real estate activity across the county, with a broad mix of property types represented in recorded documents.
City launches workforce development initiative
The city of Chattanooga has launched One Chattanooga Works, a workforce development initiative aimed at connecting residents ages 25–54 with in-demand local jobs.
Research from the Upjohn Center found individuals were eight times more likely to gain employment when job training was included in incentive programs. The city plans to begin matching residents with jobs by late summer 2026.
The initiative will coordinate efforts among skills trainers, job placement specialists and support service providers to better connect unemployed and underemployed residents with opportunities.
Officials said the initiative is designed to ensure economic growth translates into expanded opportunities for Chattanooga residents.
Lookout Valley earns its third Dudley Gold Level
Secretary of State Tre Hargett, alongside Sen. Todd Gardenhire and Rep. Michele Reneau, presented Lookout Valley Middle/High School with its third Anne Dallas Dudley Gold Level Award on Monday after the school registered 37 student voters, representing 100% of its eligible student body.
The award is the highest distinction in Tennessee’s student voter registration initiative. Principal Lee Ann McBryar and government teacher Kris York accepted the honor on behalf of the school, which previously earned a Silver Level Award in 2022.
Hamilton County Administrator of Elections Scott Allen supported the registration effort. The Anne Dallas Dudley Awards program, named for suffrage leader Anne Dallas Dudley, is open to public, charter, private and homeschool associations across Tennessee.