CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville mayor and half the City Council are up for election in November, and candidates are actively campaigning. To help voters with their decisions, Clarksville Now is publishing their written responses to a series of questions on key issues.

In Ward 10, current council member Stacey Streetman is running for re-election against Chris Reneau. Here are their responses on five key topics. Both candidates, presented here in alphabetical order, were asked to respond in 100 words or less.

1. Streets, sidewalks

Clarksville continues to play catchup in improving/constructing streets and sidewalks. What should be done to speed up the process?

Reneau: Clarksville has grown faster than our infrastructure, and we are now playing catchup. I think we need to start by prioritizing projects based on where the greatest needs are and where we can have the biggest impact. I want to see the data. Where are the traffic problems? Where are the safety concerns? Where is growth occurring? Then let’s build a plan, find a way to fund it, and hold ourselves accountable for completing it. We also need to aggressively pursue state and federal funding. We can’t fix everything at once, but residents deserve to know what our priorities are and when they can expect results.

Streetman: Traffic and growth remain among the top concerns I hear from my Ward 10 neighbors. We need to plan more proactively for the infrastructure required to support that growth. Because many of the major roads are state routes, meaningful improvements often require TDOT approval and funding. Since first being elected, I have advocated for a unified city-county agenda to pursue state support for priority projects. That approach has helped advance projects including Rossview and Dunbar Cave Road improvements, the SR-374 extension, and Trenton/SR-48 widening. We still need clear timelines and accountability, but this coordinated approach is a strong start.

| PUBLICIZE YOUR CAMPAIGN: Click here to learn more about campaign advertising on Clarksville Now

2. City budget shortfall

Mayor Joe Pitts pushed for a large tax increase to cover what he called a revenue shortfall, then halted several capital projects when the increase wasn’t fully approved. What should be done to address this problem?

Reneau: My first question is: Why do we have a shortfall? Before asking taxpayers for more money or cancelling projects our community needs, I want to understand what is driving our expenses and what we’ve done to control them. As a former CFO in both the public and private sectors, I’ve had to make difficult financial decisions. Sometimes additional revenue is necessary, but it shouldn’t automatically be the first answer. I would dig into the numbers, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and make sure we’re spending the money we already have wisely before asking taxpayers for more.

Streetman: As Finance Committee Chair, I have led efforts to balance the city budget each of the last five years. That requires discipline on both sides of the ledger: controlling spending while growing revenue. I identified more than $5 million in reductions and proposed more within the Transit System. However, there are priorities we should fund including the salary increase approved for police and fire. That requires building revenue, including through alternative streams. We are working to establish an innovative public-private partnership at certain city amenities and I support the completion of the Athletic Complex to realize the revenue from sports tournaments.

| NEW TO CLARKSVILLE? Check out our Newcomer’s Guide

3. Affordability

Costs of housing are rising dramatically in Clarksville. What should be done to address the need for more affordable housing?

Reneau: I think we first have to recognize that affordable housing isn’t just about low-income housing. Teachers, firefighters, police officers, young families and seniors can all struggle with the cost of housing. We need more housing options at different price points, but we also have to consider the impact new development has on roads, schools, and infrastructure. I would look at our zoning and permitting processes and ask where we can remove unnecessary costs or delays without lowering our standards. I also think the City should work with developers, nonprofits, and existing programs to create more opportunities for homeownership.

Streetman: I serve on the Joint Housing Advisory Committee, which was created to address challenges like rising housing costs. Construction costs are increasing and so is the cost of land. One way to improve affordability is to ensure Clarksville has a fit-for-purpose supply of housing for every stage of life: from single professionals and first-time buyers to growing families and fixed-income retirees. Expanding housing choices, encouraging a variety of housing types, and maintaining right-sized inventory can help residents move as their needs change with easing cost pressures across the housing market.

| MORE: Election news, including candidate announcements

4. Higher-paying jobs

Wages have improved in Clarksville but continue to lag other regions. What should be done to improve household incomes?

Reneau: I don’t think our goal should simply be bringing more jobs to Clarksville. We should be focused on bringing better-paying jobs and creating opportunities for the people who already live here. That means recruiting employers that provide good careers while also helping our existing businesses grow. We also need to make sure our schools, Austin Peay, TCAT, and employers are talking to each other about the skills that businesses actually need. Economic development should ultimately improve the lives of the people who live here. I want Clarksville to be a place where people can build a career, raise a family, and afford to live.

Streetman: Improving household incomes starts with creating more high-paying career opportunities in Clarksville. With Fort Campbell and Austin Peay State University, we have two strong sources of skilled, educated workers, yet many residents still commute to Nashville for better-paying jobs. We should focus on recruiting more professional and white-collar employers while also supporting the businesses already here. Large industries often receive incentives because of the jobs they create, but locally owned businesses create jobs and invest in our community too. We should explore incentives and partnerships that help local employers grow, raise wages, and create more career mobility.

| GET YOUR LOCAL MORNING NEWS: Sign up for our free daily email newsletter.

5. Flood prevention

Several Clarksville properties flooded during recent rains. What should be done to address stormwater issues to prevent this from happening again?

Reneau: When someone’s home floods, this stops being just an infrastructure issue. It’s personal. I think we need to identify where flooding is occurring, understand why it’s happening, and prioritize those areas based on the risk to homes and people. I also want to make sure new development isn’t creating stormwater problems for existing neighborhoods. This is another area where I would want to see the engineering and the data before making decisions. We aren’t going to eliminate every flooding risk, but we should have a plan that addresses known problems before the next major storm instead of simply reacting afterward.

Streetman: Recent flooding has made stormwater management a much greater priority in our zoning and development decisions. As the City Council appointee to the Regional Planning Commission, I review site plans closely and look beyond what is presented by examining properties, drainage patterns, and topography. We also work to ensure commitments made during the zoning process are carried through during development. In 2025, I strongly supported funding to create a Stormwater Division at Gas & Water. That division is an important step toward identifying drainage problems, improving oversight, and addressing conditions that can contribute to flooding before they become larger problems.

| MORE: Mayor of Clarksville candidates on streets, taxes, flooding

About Clarksville Ward 10

Ward 10 covers southeast Clarksville on both sides of the Red River, roughly from Wilma Rudolph Boulevard to just past Interstate 24:

Clarksville City Council Ward 10 (Contributed, City of Clarksville)
Clarksville City Council Ward 10 (Contributed, City of Clarksville)

| MORE: Who’s on November ballot for governor, Congress, legislature, City of Clarksville races

How to register, how to vote in November

The State General and City of Clarksville election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3, with governor, Congress, General Assembly, city mayor and half the City Council on the ballot.

The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5. Early voting will be Oct. 14-29.

| ON THE ISSUES:

Tennessee voters are required to show a valid photo identification. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee state government, or the federal government are acceptable, even if expired. College student IDs are not accepted.

For more information on voting, including registering to vote, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website, visit their office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, email vote@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5707.

| BREAKING NEWS PUSH ALERTS: Sign up for our free Clarksville Now app