At the first city council meeting after his death, Jacky Cagle was honored for his 10 years of service and dedication as a councilman and, before that, 40 years as an employee of East Ridge. Vice Mayor David Tyler said, "He served our city well and made us proud." That was echoed by the rest of the council, who also said they had become personal friends. His family was presented with a proclamation from the city by Mayor Brian Williams and another from State Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, who served on the council with him in the past.

The city is focusing on expanding its parks. Citizen surveys several years ago showed that residents wanted parks and recreational facilities to be available in locations other than the Camp Jordan Park in the eastern end of town. Since then the city has built a splash pad and rejuvenated the Pioneer Frontier playground in the central city near city hall, and now will be making Improvements to Springvale Park near the state line. That project started with people who use the current dog park wanting it to be larger. A suitable space was found at Springvale and that project is just getting started.

A new dog park will be built, and other improvements will be done at the same time. Funding for the project will come from multiple sources. The city budgeted $446,000 for a basic plan that would build the dog park, a walking track, a restroom and resurface an existing parking lot, but the lowest bid that was received for that work was $519,000. As discussion continued, the decision was made to expand parking, build a half pavilion for shade, with a picnic table and four benches. And fencing has been donated. The decision was made to move forward with the expanded scope of work for the park after learning that the park would qualify as a Border Region project.

As a bonus, City Manager Brial Koral told the council members, that the old dog park near city hall would be kept so the city will now have two. The cost for the renovations and for building the new dog park will be done for $687,000. The Hamilton County “Lean into Communities “ grant will be added to the city’s money for the park.

The two-story concession stand/storage building at the soccer fields at Camp Jordan developed a crack in one side of the staircase in summer 2023 that the city repaired. Now, two and a half years later, a crack has developed on the other side of the building. The best price received to repair the new damage is $10,950, which was approved on an emergency basis because the new soccer season will begin soon. The company doing the work will give the work a lifetime guarantee. Until the repairs are made, Coke will loan the park a trailer to use for concessions.

Trophies for all sports in the coming year will come from “Awards Excellent” which had the winning bid of $7,329.

This year, East Ridge got a new lawnmower for maintenance of the city’s parks and properties. The council has authorized the donation of their old 60-inch Spartan zero turn lawn mower to the East Ridge High School, which can make the needed repairs.

Announcements include that East Ridge will participate in the River Rescue next Saturday and is asking for volunteers to help. The city is beginning to use their new facility Venue 1921 with the annual Trick-or-Treat event on Sunday, Oct. 25. City Manager Koral said the library is looking for donations of candy. And a new fall market will take place at Venue 1921.The Christmas parade will be on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and, for the first time, an after-party will be held there. The Community Thanksgiving will be at the East Ridge Community Center on Nov. 23.