Clarksville, Tennessee Development News

Clarksville City Council Passes FY2026-27 Budget with 10-Cent Property Tax Increase After Lengthy Debate

The Clarksville City Council debated and ultimately passed Ordinance 98, a budget amendment for fiscal year 2026-2027, after multiple readings and numerous amendments. The final ordinance passed with a 7-6 vote, setting the property tax rate at 99 cents per $100 of assessed value, which is a 10-cent increase from the previous year's rate. Several amendments were proposed to reduce the budget or tax rate, including proposals related to HR positions, street department projects (sidewalks, vehicle replacements), police department vehicle replacements, and a voluntary payment to the school system. Most amendments failed, but one amendment to reduce the street department operating budget by $476,000 was adopted, lowering the tax rate to $1.01. Another amendment, also to reduce the street department operating budget by $476,000, was adopted, further reducing the tax rate to $1.01. An amendment to reduce the HR budget by $50,000 passed, and an amendment to eliminate the voluntary sales tax payment to the school system, which would have reduced the tax rate by 5 cents, was initially adopted but then reconsidered and failed. The final budget reflects a 10-cent increase in the property tax rate.