Image Credit: Jeff Slinker / CC
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After the Clarksville City Council approved a budget that included $844 million in expenses and raised property taxes last year, the council is preparing to vote on the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget which includes another increase for city taxpayers.
Proposed by Mayor Joe Pitts, the increase would raise property taxes another 15 cents, taking the current rate of 88 cents per $100 of assessed value up to $1.03.
Pitts cited “growth, inflation, and the critical need to expand services” in his proposal letter as justification for the increase and stated that rapid growth is driving every aspect of the budget.
Alongside the tax increase, the budget also looks to address storm water drainage, hoping to revise building standards and lessen impacts of heavy rains on neighborhoods, particularly as Clarksville has suffered multiple bouts of severe flooding in the past few months.
The city’s Gas and Water Department plans to hire a consultant to explore the creation of a Storm Water Utility to “take the lead” in managing the city’s storm water infrastructure.
The budget also includes a 2.5% general wage increase for all “eligible employees”, though the Clarksville Fire Fighters Association has been lobbying the council for a higher base-salary increase as city firefighters make less than the national average and approximately 26% less than surrounding communities.
Capital projects will supposedly be scaled back under this budget, opting to shift focus to transportation projects, though those already underway, including the construction of a downtown Performing Arts Center funded through the city’s hotel-motel tax, will proceed as scheduled.
Finally, the general funds budget proposal contains 30 new government positions including eight within the Police Department, eight within Fire & Rescue, and six in Parks & Recreation.
The City Council will continue its deliberations on the budget this week, with the final vote on June 24.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
