CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Mayor Kim McMillan is committed to an open and transparent budget process and encourages citizens to attend a series of budget presentations May 7-10, according to a press release sent by the Mayor’s office.

City Departments will present their budget highlights to the Mayor, which then will be considered as she prepares her full Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal to be presented to the City Council. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

“Department Heads take part in the budget process by providing recommendations on specific projects and programs their departments want to pursue,” Mayor McMillan said. “I then weigh the City’s various goals and commitments as we plan next year’s budget.”

Here are key dates in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget process:
• Department Budget Presentations: May 7-10.
• Mayor’s Budget Presentation and News Conference: May 24.
• Budget Work Sessions for City Council: June 7, June 13.
• Special Session Public Hearing and First Reading: June 14.
• Special Session Second Reading: June 21.

Beginning with her first budget in 2011, Mayor McMillan says she has made citizen engagement in the process a priority.

“I believe open budget hearings are critical to good government,” Mayor McMillan said. “It’s important that members of the public know and understand how their tax dollars are being spent, and to see how Department Heads make recommendations and then follow through to meet our priorities.”

All of the Department Budget Presentations will be in the City Council Chambers, 106 Public Square. The sessions may be viewed live on the City’s website at www.cityofclarksville.com, and live on CDE Lightband Channel 3. Video recordings of the presentations also will be available for on-demand viewing on the website within 24 hours of their conclusion, and they will be replayed periodically over the next several weeks on Lightband Channel 3.

Here is an outline of the projected dates and times of the Department Budget Presentations:

Monday, May 7
Noon – 1 p.m. Police/Dispatch
1:00 – 1:15 Crime Stoppers
1:15 – 1:45 Building Codes
1:45 – 2:00 City Court
2:00 – 2:15 Human Resources
2:15 – 2:30 Internal Service Funds
2:45 – 3:00 Golf Courses
3:00 – 3:30 Parks and Recreation
3:30 – 3:45 Purchasing
3:45 – 4:00 Municipal Properties
4:00 – 4:15 Mayor’s Office

Tuesday, May 8
Noon – 1 p.m. Fire Rescue
1:00 – 1:15 IT – GIS – Pictometry
1:15 – 1:45 Regional Planning Commission
1:45 – 2:00 Arts & Heritage Development Council
2:00 – 2:15 Senior Citizens Center
2:15 – 2:30 Legal
2:45 – 3:00 Legislative

Wednesday, May 9
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Transit
11:00 – 11:30 Customs House Museum
11:30 – 12:15 p.m. CDE Lightband
12:15 – 12:30 Garage
1:30 – 2:00 Street
2:00 – 2:15 E-911
2:15 – 2:45 Gas, Water & Sewer
2:45 – 3:15 Regional Airport

Thursday, May 10
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. Internal Audit
1:45 – 2:00 Parking Commission
2:00 – 2:15 Finance & Revenue
2:15 – 2:30 Debt Service Fund
2:30 – 2:45 Human Relations Commission
2:45 – 3:00 Community & Economic Development

Adjustments to the schedule will be announced as necessary.