CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As early voting begins this week, the candidates for mayor of the City of Clarksville have been meeting with voters and discussing the issues. The candidates are Mark Riggins, Wanda Smith and Brian Zacharias.
To help voters with their choice on the ballot, Clarksville Now is publishing articles on plans for their first 100 days in office, if elected. Here is the response from Councilperson Brian Zacharias.
Zacharias said his first priority as mayor will be addressing the “structural financial problem that is preventing Clarksville from keeping pace with its growth.”
Brian Zacharias on structural city budget problem
“Clarksville is growing rapidly, but the revenue available to maintain and improve our city’s infrastructure is not keeping pace with that growth,” Zacharias said. “As commercial development expands, our roads become more congested, our infrastructure faces increasing demands, and the financial responsibility continues to fall heavily on city property taxpayers.”
He said the structural budget problem is not sustainable, and the city cannot cut its way out.
In recent weeks, Zacharias has presented a potential solution to the City Council centered on negotiating a new sales tax distribution agreement with Montgomery County that would allow Clarksville to keep 50% of the available local option sales tax revenue, based on where the sales occur. He said this follows the framework established by state law, rather than the alternative system we’ve been using locally.
“This is not simply a campaign promise,” Zacharias said. “I have already begun working on a potential solution and engaging with individuals who understand the financial challenges facing both city and county government.”
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During his first 100 days, he said, he would:
- Begin formal negotiations with Montgomery County leadership on the redistribution.
- Work closely with the city’s financial leadership on implementation of a revised distribution agreement in preparation for the FY2028 budget.
- Identify infrastructure projects that could move forward with a more sustainable revenue structure.
- Provide regular public updates on the progress of discussions, the city’s financial position, and the status of major capital projects.
Zacharias added that the budget problem is too important to depend on the outcome of a single election. “I hope my fellow candidates will agree that establishing a sustainable financial foundation for Clarksville should be a priority regardless of who occupies the mayor’s office.”
Fixing budget helps address other issues
He said addressing the budget issue isn’t his only priority, but it is the foundation for making other priorities possible. “A stronger financial position would give Clarksville more flexibility to address long-delayed infrastructure projects, support local jobs, plan responsibly for future development, and make decisions based on what is best for our community rather than what our financial limitations force us to accept.”
He said his first 100 days would include meeting with department heads to “establish clear expectations, strengthen communication, evaluate operational priorities, and ensure that city government is responsive and accountable to the people it serves.”
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Revisit role of city mayor on City Council
Zacharias said he also wants to begin a public conversation about the mayor’s dual role as the chief executive and presiding officer of the City Council. “As both a student and teacher of political science and government, I believe it is healthy to periodically examine whether the structures that served our city in the past continue to serve us effectively today.”
He said the city charter combines executive and legislative responsibilities in the mayor’s office. That’s not unusual in Tennessee, but it’s not required. “Clarksville has changed tremendously over the years. I believe it is reasonable to ask whether the current structure remains the best fit for a city of our size,” Zacharias said.
“Ultimately, my goal for the first 100 days is not to produce a long list of promises. It is to establish a clear direction, begin the work necessary to deliver meaningful results, and make sure Clarksville is better positioned for the years ahead.”
For more, go to the Brian Zacharias website.
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| PREVIOUSLY:
- Where do they stand? Mayor candidates on streets, taxes, flooding
- Mayor candidates on sales tax for schools, smart growth, amusement park
- The Clarksville Rundown: Why you should vote for Riggins, Smith, Zacharias | PODCAST
How to vote, with early voting this week
Early voting will be Oct. 14-29 at the Election Commission Office. Early voting begins Oct. 19 at the North Library, CDE and Richellen Park locations.
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, 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.
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