CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Over 300 were in attendance Tuesday as the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Mayors Power Breakfast at the Riverview Inn.
Both Clarksville City Mayor Kim McMillan and Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett made presentations on what’s taking place in the city and county and what the future holds.
One of the highlights of the breakfast was the controversial government consolidation topic, which would combine the city and county into one governing entity.
As a way to get input from local business people and community leaders, Durrett offered those attending the opportunity to give their opinions on some of the issues facing Montgomery County, including the issue of consolidation.
When asked about consolidated government, 83 percent said yes and 17 percent said no with politics, education and taxes as the top three concerns facing consolidation.
As for the initial steps for a plan to move toward consolidation, most of those responding recommended beginning by combining small “like” departments. A smaller number of respondents suggested drawing up a private act to complete the process all at once.
For funding the construction of new schools, 63 percent favored a wheel tax increase, 28 percent favored a combination wheel and sales tax increase with only 8 percent wanting a raise in the property tax.
Durrett said the wheel tax has not been increased in over 29 years and a $50 wheel tax increase would generate over $7.6 million.
“About $138 million in new funds are needed to expand multiple existing schools and build a new elementary, middle and high school over the next 7-10 years,” Durrett said. “The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is 76 percent of Montgomery County’s budget and accounts for about 68 percent of our debt.”
During her presentation, Mayor McMillan discussed the creation of the Office of Military and Veterans Liaison in city government to maintain and strengthen partnerships and collaborations with Fort Campbell. This has led to what’s being called the Fort Campbell Strong Economic Growth Plan.
The mayor said there were several key needs that residents of Clarksville tell her mean the most to them: public safety, roads and transportation, health, fitness, recreations and quality of life.
Her public safety recap included the addition of two new fire stations in 14 months and the hiring of 15 new firefighters to cover the manpower needs of the growing Clarksville Fire Rescue department.
Mayor McMillan also applauded the Clarksville Police Department for achieving a crime rate of 93 crimes per 1,000 population — the lowest crime rate in the state among cities with a population of 100,000 citizens or greater.
Roads highlights included progress on the city-funded Northeast Connector, and major ongoing projects to improve capacity on Rossview Road near Exit 8 and on Warfield Boulevard near Ted Crozier Boulevard.
McMillan also praised the Clarksville Parks & Recreation Department for earning the designation as a Healthier Tennessee Community.
Her goals include a family athletic complex that could provide a public-private partnership with the Nashville Predators, as well as a Downtown Performing Arts Center.
Montgomery County Government also announced the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent with Tennova Healthcare for a land donation of 3.17 acres.
The land, located at the southwest corner of the Tennova Healthcare Clarksville Campus, will be used by the county for the site of an Emergency Medical Services facility.