When considering consolidation of our two local governments (city & county), several basic questions have surfaced during conversations with both city and county residents. Typical questions have included, “Is this a good idea? Why change the current system and what’s in it for me?”
Per recent public input meetings, past failed consolidation attempts, yard signs posted in our rural areas denouncing consolidation and social media postings, it is no secret that some folks living in the county are generally opposed to the idea, whereas, others living within the city limits are generally for consolidation. At least, that is the overall tone that seems present.
Given this generalized perception, I went further by discussing consolidation with my relatives who live in the Dotsonville / Woodlawn area. As a bit of personal background, I am one generation away from the farm on both sides of my family as my mother and father were both born in the Woodlawn / Dotsonville portions of Montgomery County. Both of my grandfathers and one great-grandfather were farmers and county magistrates representing this area. Going further, I am the fifth Bradley Martin in a direct lineage, originating from Dotsonville, with our 200 year old farm still in family ownership.
Based on questions and discussions with multiple family members and friends living outside city limits, one big issue emerged as a primary concern over any other; that being the fear of county residents being assessed increased property taxes if we were to become a consolidated metro government. That’s a real “hot button”.
The truth, as concluded by extensive research and review of the charter and those involved in the process, is that neither county nor city property taxes will be increased by the creation of one consolidated government. This is simply a fact.
The proposed charter calls for two distinct tax districts; an Urban Services District and a General Services District, separated by the current city/county boundary line. In addition, the only way an area of the General Services District could be changed to become part of the Urban Services District is if actual services were to extend into a rural area. This can only be achieved through a 60% majority vote by the residents of the affected district. The fear of annexation runs deep for county citizens, and consolidation is an added layer of protection to ensure that the city cannot forcibly annex county property. Despite rumors and misinformation, one can easily and factually conclude that consolidation will not cause us to pay more money for the right to own property whether living in the city or the county. In fact, the growth of taxation rates will likely slow due to the streamlining of government services and activity. Not to mention the fact that consolidation will end instances of double taxation from the city and county.
On to the question of why is consolidation a good idea; there are many differing opinions and reasons I have heard as justification for consolidation, but the one that stands up above all else to me is the simple fact that we can be stronger as one concerted local governmental entity applying and appealing to our State and Federal Governments for capital project funding than we currently are as two differing local governments with differing agendas, appeals, requests, directions, etc., not to mention the redundancy and waste of having two governments rather than one. Generally speaking; less government (not more) always makes best sense to me.
Bradley Martin is a graduate of The University of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design and is President of Lyle Cook Martin Architects in Clarksville. He is a past chair-member of the Economic Development Council’s Executive Committee, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Housing Authority and the Clarksville-Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau.