Image Credit: clarksvilletn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After a week of discussion and consideration, the Clarksville City Council rejected the first reading of the proposed 2025-2026 budget which included a property tax increase for the second consecutive year.
The proposal also included a 2.5% wage increase for government employees, a new approach to handling storm water drainage, funding for 30 new positions within the government, and a focus on transportation projects.
Several council members felt there were not enough cuts and proposed further departmental budget reductions in an attempt to negate the necessity of City Mayor Joe Pitt’s recommended 15-cent property tax increase.
Other amendments included cutting an “affordable housing” city project and transferring the property to the Community Neighborhood Services land trust/bank to instead allow for the creation of “privately built and managed, affordable, low-income housing for senior citizens.”
Another amendment proposed potentially reducing the budget by over $300,000 for the Clarksville Custom House Museum, which focuses on “serving this diverse community” through “the collection, preservation, interpretation, and presentation of this area’s history, arts, and culture.”
But the amendments which did pass turned out to be for naught as the entire budget failed to pass the council in a 7-5 vote.
The City Council will revisit the issue with a new proposal next week as the city is required to pass a budget by June 30 and it must pass two readings.
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.
