This article has been updated with additional information.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City Council rejected the next fiscal year budget Monday night – for the fourth time – with a proposed property tax rate of $1.03.

Monday’s special session meeting comes after the City Council previously rejected the first reading of the budget three times. The meeting was highlighted by several amendments, including proposals that would have financed three infrastructure projects.

One amendment that was approved was for a $2.4 million Clarksville Fire Rescue capital project.

Previous budget rejections

On June 11, the council rejected a proposed annual budget that would have included a 24-cent property tax increase (to $1.16 per $100 of assessed value), lowered from its initial 31 cents. The budget was rejected 2-11.

On June 18, even after making more than $697,000 in expense reductions, the council voted down the budget once again on a 5-8 vote that had the property tax rate set at $1.07, a 15-cent increase from the previous rate of $0.92.

| PREVIOUSLY: City of Clarksville: We can’t ‘kick can down road’ on fixing budget to keep up with growth

During their meeting on June 22, the council voted it down a third time with a 6-7 vote. The proposed property tax rate at the end of the meeting was set at a $1.03, an 11-cent increase.

Going into Monday’s special called meeting, Mayor Joe Pitts told the City Council that the budget proposed before them is where they left off at the council’s last meeting, with a proposed property tax rate of $1.03.

$2.4 million capital project approved for CFR

Councilwoman Keri Lovato introduced an amendment to fund $2.4 million back into Clarksville Fire Rescue. She said the reallocation would go toward the city’s capital project fund, which would budget for a needed fire truck, while not increasing the proposed property tax rate.

City of Clarksville CFO Christen Wilcox confirmed that if the council approved the capital project, they could eventually move it back into the city’s general fund, when applicable.

Lovato made the case that this financial move would save the city money in the long run with how much the truck will cost in the future. The City Council approved the amendment 10-2.

Amendment to reallocate $10 million to road projects

Councilwoman Stacey Streetman said infrastructure projects need to move forward in Clarksville and introduced an amendment with multiple proposals attached.

Streetman proposed funding property for a new Building and Codes facility, aspects of the Needmore Road project, the Memorial Drive project and the Rossview Road project, among other considerations.

  • Needmore Road project – $4.7 million.
  • Memorial Drive project – $4.5 million.
  • Rossview Road project – $1 million.

Also proposed was reducing the Transit Department’s budget by more than $400,000, while adding funds back into the IT department.

“In regard to the Building and Codes purchase, this is to purchase a new facility allowing Building and Codes to have more room as they have more employees. Right now, they are busting at the seams,” Streetman said. “We have an opportunity to purchase some property, with a shell of a building. … That cost is $2.1 million.”

She also said this would save taxpayers down the road because of how inflation impacts projects like this annually. In totality, Streetman said her amendment raises the proposed property tax rate by a penny to $1.04.

“One penny of funding this year to be able to move everything,” she said. “Next year we would have to fund them as well, because they are going to be transferred over to our debt service.”

Concerns about existing road projects

Lovato said she has concerns with starting new road projects when there are existing road projects, like Tylertown Road, that need to be completed.

Councilman Tim Chandler said he’s unsure of the purchase of property for the new Building and Codes facility because he doesn’t have enough information to make a decision. He also said he’s not for reducing $400,000 from the city’s Transit Department.

Even after dividing the question into three parts for consideration, the City Council voted down all proposals attached to the amendment.

Marquis on Ajax Turner Senior Center: ‘We have not seen the evidence’

Councilwoman Ambar Marquis once again proposed an amendment removing $1.28 million from the Parks and Recreation budget, while sending $776,000 to the nonprofit Ajax Turner Senior Center.

“I know that there have been a lot of allegations that has been presented to the council, but I would argue back that there has hardly been evidence supporting allegations outside of three pieces provided to us.”

Marquis said evidence she has seen included maintenance requests, the center’s safety inspection from March, and the financial audit provided to her days ago. “Outside of that, we have received no instances of misuse of funds, any abuse and all of that stuff. At this point it’s honestly hearsay. We have not seen the evidence.”

Marquis said all evidence that does exist should be presented to the City Council.

Council member receives email complaint of sexual harassment

Lovato said the three-year audit of the nonprofit is evidence in itself, and she also shared multiple emails sent to her over the last week. This included an additional claim of sexual harassment at the center.

Councilman Brian Zacharias shared details of a letter he obtained from one of the lawyers representing the nonprofit, which stated that the Senior Board violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, as well as their own bylaws, in the firing of center’s executive director.

Zacharias also said when it comes to accessing relevant information, the council members who ask for it, receive it.

Streetman said the information she found on the center’s finances is available to everyone, including the public. She said this included the financial reporting’s from 2024-25 with expenditures listed, which went on to be doubled a year later.

Chandler said it seems the issue is at a 50-50 split after mostly hearing from people who opposed the city takeover originally. He said the City Council needs to make a decision on what to do.

The City Council voted down the amendment 5-8.

First reading fails for fourth time

With no other amendment presented, the proposed tax rate remained at $1.03.

Chandler pleaded with his fellow council members and said the first reading of the budget needs to be passed. “Today is the 29th; it’s supposed to be passed before midnight tomorrow night,” he said.

Councilman Jimmy Brown said he understands there does need to be an increase, but his concern remains being how much. With a 6-7 vote for a second week in a row, the City Council voted to disapprove the budget for a fourth time.

Voting against were Eric Claunch, Carlos Peters, Marquis, Wanda Smith, Jerry Haywood, Brown and Lovato. Voting in favor were council members Zacharias, Chandler, Holleman, Streetman, Joe Shakeenab and Mayor Pitts.

According to previous reports, the City Council will have to continue to meet until a new budget is passed. It has not been determined when the council will meet again for the first reading of the budget.

‘You crippled the senior center, because you picked the people on the board’

During public comments, Russell King addressed the City Council and spoke on how members of the Senior Board were appointed. “You crippled the senior center, because you picked the people on the board who made these decisions. We’ve been complaining about it for months.”

King said as they have complained, they have also sent documentation to the City of Clarksville. “All you have to do is review the minute records on file with the city,” he said.

| PREVIOUSLY:

Correction: The Clarksville City Council will meet at a later specified date.

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