First Reading Of Clarksville Proposed Budget With 34% Property Tax Increase Fails

Image Credit: Clarksville TN Government

Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –

The Clarksville City Council overwhelmingly voted to reject the first reading of Democrat Mayor Joe Pitts’ proposed budget, which includes a nearly 34% property tax increase and a decrease in the amount of sales tax shared with the local school district. 

City property tax rates have already climbed in the last two years, and the issue continues to be a sticking point for many council members as city expenditures and debt also continue to climb.

Pitts has claimed that growth, inflation, and the “critical need to support city government operations” are contributing factors to the sharp increase while other city officials, like the city’s CFO, have defended the raise as a necessity to produce a “structurally sound” budget. 

These officials have also claimed that if the rate is not raised, the city will have to remove $21 million from operating expenses, including asking the police and fire departments to significantly cut their budgets by $1-1.5 million.

But many council members appear to disagree with this reasoning, with one saying that funds are being mismanaged and “the city does not have a revenue problem nearly as much as it has a priorities problem.” 

Councilwoman Amber Marquis argued that the city is spending tax dollars they don’t have and approving capital projects they cannot afford.

“We’re taking on more debt. We’re relying more on that to pay our bills, and it’s almost like we’re leveraging our assets to be able to take on more debt. We’re not doing things in any sustainable manner,” she said. “You want stuff that everybody also will benefit from…like the public safety aspect of it, the traffic, and basic levels of infrastructure. And that doesn’t seem to be generating across the board.”

During the council’s June 11 budget meeting, an amendment was proposed which would have decreased the tax rate increase from 31-cents down to 24-cents, raising the current $0.92 per $100 of value assessed to $1.23. The amendment was approved in a 10-3 vote, but the overall budget was still rejected 11-2 over additional concerns about significant changes buried in the budget, increased spending, and cutting funding for the local senior center.

Other amendments suggested by council members which were approved in initial discussions included:

• Cutting funding for a car for the new mayor who will be elected in November.
• Removing over $17,000 from the Legislative Department, including employee training, supplies and swag for council members, public relations, and expenses for a $5,000 swearing-in ceremony.
• Reducing vehicles and software from various departments and funding cuts for the Customs House Museum.

Ultimately, if Clarksville cannot come to an agreement on a new budget by the end of this month, the city will default to their current budget for another fiscal year.

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.