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Tennessee Conservative News [By Olivia Lupia] –
The Montgomery County Commission just approved the Government’s budget for the next fiscal year, and while some changes were made before the final vote, raising property taxes was not one, putting the county in contrast with the city of Clarksville which is keeping pace with many other Tennessee municipalities in proposing rate increases for upcoming budgets.
In the county’s financial summary, known as the Statement of Operations, the FY 2027 budget’s ending fund balance for total general operations is projected to be $159.1 million with total revenues for the general fund estimated at more than $159.7 million, while expenditures have been forecast at more than $169.5 million.
Around $20 million has been earmarked for capital projects including the completion of Phase 1 of the County Fairgrounds project and road upgrades.
The commission approved two amendments removing $75,000 that was going towards the Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council and reallocating those funds to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library System to support its newest branch. Another amendment, requested by the EMA Director, passed removing two advanced emergency medical technician positions and instead fund a full-time emergency management operations coordinator, moving over $103,000 around in the budget.
After passing the commission 19-1, the new budget will take effect July 1 for FY 2027.
But while Montgomery County’s tax rate will remain at $2.10 for a third consecutive year, the Clarksville City Council will be working through its own budget proposal from Democrat Mayor Joe Pitts which includes a nearly 34% property tax increase and seeks to pull back a portion of the sales tax with the local schools.
City officials have defended the need for the proposed increase, stating it will to produce a “structurally sound budget” and claiming the city would have to remove $21 million from operating expenditures without it.
Clarksville’s property tax rate was already increased by 4 cents in last year’s budget, though Pitts initially proposed a 15-cent raise, causing the council to reject the first reading before revisions were successful for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The Clarksville City Council will meet this evening for a special session to hear and discuss the first reading of their proposed FY 2027 budget.
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.
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Cities; Cancers on the face of God’s green earth.