CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Two days after the City Council passed the first reading of the fiscal year 2026 budget, they returned to council chambers Thursday and approved the second reading of the budget in a matter of minutes.
The new budget was approved 6-4, with Councilpersons Brian Zacharias, Tim Chandler, Travis Holleman, Stacey Streetman, Keri Lovato and Mayor Joe Pitts all voting in favor of approval. Voting against were Councilpersons Deanna McLaughlin, Ambar Marquis, Jerry Haywood and Jimmy Brown.
Councilpersons Carlos Peters, Wanda Smith and Joe Shakeenab were not present at the time of the vote.
FY 2026 budget review
Before approving the first reading of the FY 2026 budget on Tuesday, several amendments were passed, which included Streetman’s proposal to restore 16 new-hires previously listed, along with the associated vehicles and equipment. This came after the city proposed to eliminate all new hires for the upcoming fiscal year to avoid a property tax rate increase of any kind. With Streetman’s amendment passing, the property tax rate increase rose to 4 cents…