Clarksville City Council rejects third, first reading of the city’s 2027 budget

On Monday, June 22, Mayor Joe Pitts chaired the Clarksville City Council meeting to consider the third, first reading of the FY2027 budget. SUBMITTED

On Monday, June 22, the Clarksville City Council met in its third Special Session to consider the FY2027 budget, turning down a plan that would have increased the property tax from 92-cents to $1.03, per $100 of assessed value.

A few of the city’s councilmen offered amendments in efforts to continue bringing down the initial proposed 31-cent property tax increase.

An amendment by Councilman Stacey Streetman reinstated monies removed at a previous meeting from both the police and fire departments.

Streetman’s amendment to restore transit funding was also approved.

The body turned down an amendment by Councilman Ambar Marquis to cut funding of the Mason Rudolph Golf Course capital project. The failed amendment included a plan for the city to turn the golf course’s management over to a private company.

A Marquis amendment to cut funds to the Swan Lake Golf Course was not approved.

Marquis’ motion to return funding to the Ajax Turner Senior Center and prevent the city’s Parks and Recreation Department from operating the entity also failed.

Councilman Keri Lovato said it would be a “major mistake” for the council to move the funding back to the senior center’s nonprofit group and named the multiple allegations of financial problems the center has faced in recent years.  

“It was stated in an earlier meeting to give the money back and place [the center] on a personal improvement plan,” Lovato said. “They have been on a personal improvement plan for three years and it has not worked.”

Councilman Brian Zacharias said the council needs to fund the senior center transition, bringing it under a department that is accountable.

“The point isn’t whether the [mismanagement] allegations are true,” Zacharias said. “The point is we built a system where we can’t find out…We’re not bystanders. We’re not innocent. We’re complicit in what’s going on over there. The allegations of mismanagement are severe.”

Councilman Eric Claunch said he would prefer the senior center’s board continue with the operations.

“Why can’t we establish a committee and a new board to come up with parameters that are talked about monthly in here?” Claunch asked. “I will be the first one to say, if that’s not met, then take it over.”

The Marquis amendment to transfer funding back to the senior center failed, 4-9. The councilmen who favored the action were Marquis, Claunch, Tim Chandler and Wanda Smith.

Monday’s meeting began with a proposed budget that included a property tax rate of $1.01. Instead of decreasing that number, it was raised by two cents to $1.03 before the final vote of the evening.

A last-minute effort by Councilman Wanda Smith to decrease the proposed property tax rate down to 95-cents failed.

The first reading of the ordinance to adopt the FY2027 budget failed with a 6-7 vote.

The votes in favor came from Mayor Joe Pitts and Councilmen Brian Zacharias, Carlos Peters, Tim Chandler, Travis Holleman and Stacey Streetman.

Those opposed were Eric Claunch, Ambar Marquis, Wanda Smith, Jerry Haywood, Jimmy Brown, Joe Shakeenab and Keri Lovato.