CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In a newly-proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year in Clarksville, stormwater drainage has been listed as a top priority — and there is a property tax rate increase.

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts sent a budget memorandum to the City Council, announcing that the proposal targets several key issues, like recruitment and retention of city employees and neighborhood flooding. The budget proposes a property tax increase of 15 cents to $1.03 per $100 assessed value, citing growth, inflation and a need to expand services as driving the increase.

The more than $170 million budget also includes a "Restoring Clarksville" Initiative, which is aimed at cleaning abandoned properties and improving the overall appearance of Clarksville's neighborhoods.

A special revenue fund has also been proposed, which would allow fines and funds collected from liens placed on neglected properties by the Building and Codes Department to flow back to the Department to fund the initiative.

Additionally, the proposed budget includes a 2.5% general wage increase for all eligible employees as a centerpiece of our budget proposal.

“I am proud of how our employees in every City department work together, to respond to our citizens' everyday needs — especially how they perform in a crisis or extreme challenge," Pitts said. "They give us much to be proud of, and are to be commended for their efforts." 

Several changes to address stormwater damage have been proposed, including several key changes like revising building standards to reflect more serious rainfalls. If necessary, that could mean changes to Building Codes. Aside from buildings, the Clarksville Street Department is working with a consulting engineering firm to address three flood-prone areas of the city. City leaders don't have the final price tag for the flood-prone areas just yet; they're prepared to go back to City Council and change the financial plan to fit the needs of Clarksville neighborhoods.

The budget memo said that capital projects "will be throttled back," with a focus on Transportation 2020+ projects and the first phase of the Rossview Athletic Complex. The proposed budget said that necessary repairs would be made to buildings, but no new projects would be launched "until the national and state economies settle."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/middle-tn-neighborhood-news/city-of-clarksvilles-proposed-budget-for-fiscal-year-2025-2026-could-address-flooding-concerns/