CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City of Clarksville posted the proposed 2026 fiscal year budget on its website Friday. It includes a letter from Mayor Joe Pitts in which he highlighted a proposed property tax increase of 15 cents, along with storm water drainage projects.

The budget totals more than $170.7 million for the general fund. Pitts said the growth of Clarksville’s population is driving every aspect of the budget, including a proposal to increase the city’s current property tax rate of 88 cents per $100 of assessed value.

“We are proposing a property tax increase of 15 cents this year to $1.03,” Pitts said in his letter. “Growth, inflation and the critical need to expand services are all driving the increase.”

Pitts said the Montgomery County Trustee implements tax freeze and relief programs for low-income or disabled residents. “These resources will lessen the impact of the proposed tax increase,” he said.

Storm water drainage

Storm water drainage is a priority for the city in FY 2026, as well as moving forward into the future, Pitts said. The city is looking at several changes to their approach this year, which included:

  • Clarksville Gas and Water plans to hire a consultant to possibly create a Storm Water Utility to take the lead in managing the city’s storm water infrastructure, which is currently under the Street Department.
  • The City of Clarksville is looking to revise building standards. “We will revise building standards to reflect more-serious rainfalls we have received over the past 12 months,” Pitts said. “There will be code changes necessary to help limit the impact of heavy rains on homes and other residential and commercial structures.”
  • The Street Department is working with a consulting engineering firm to address three flood-prone areas. “While we don’t know yet the official and final price tag for the targeted areas, we are committed to getting this right and are prepared to come back to you for changes in our financing plan,” Pitts said.
  • Grants Director and FEMA/TEMA liaison Lauren Winters is working to make resources and information available to property owners, as well as the city in general, to lessen the impact of heavy rains on neighborhoods.

The budget includes a proposed 2.5% general wage increase for city employees. Pitts said the wage increase is more in line with the pre-pandemic era.

Capital projects will be throttled back in FY 2026. Instead, the city will focus on completing more of the Transportation 2020+ projects and the Rossview Athletic Complex Phase 1. However, while the city will be making necessary repairs to existing buildings, they do not plan to launch any new projects until national and state economics settle.

Correction: The Mayor’s Office has corrected its statement about the Montgomery County Assessor of Property’s Office. For those impacted by recent flooding, if a FEMA disaster is declared, the Montgomery County Assessor of Property can prorate taxes for affected properties. Without a FEMA declaration, if the property damage is cured by Sept. 1, her office cannot legally adjust the value of damaged property.

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