As revenue rises, City of Chattanooga boosts pay.

Byline: Cliff Hightower

July 05--Growth in several kinds of revenue led to Chattanooga's boosting city workers' pay this year even as other Tennessee cities laid off employees. "We're getting enough from a variety of sources," said Councilwoman Carol Berz, chairwoman of the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee. A review of the city's 2011-12 budget shows revenue increased by $15.2 million this year. The fiscal year began Friday. Most of that -- about $10 million -- comes from the expiration of a sales tax agreement with Hamilton County. But Berz said that money is earmarked strictly for quasi-governmental and social service agencies.

"It's strictly …