[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6197030,"mediaKeyId","3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7","parentId",3853942,"title","Local firefighters’ pay, staffing and mental‑health strain highlighted in public comment","audioSeconds",270,"startMs",9000000,"endMs",9270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7&start=9000&end=9270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7/thumbnail_9000000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197030/Clarksville/Montgomery-County/Tennessee/Local-firefighters-pay-staffing-and-mentalhealth-strain-highlighted-in-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197030-38d76c7c480350056cdca17cc4e851b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192929&Signature=iVHPuCFZPRQsmyIk6YlKfcbvmdO9ZICZkV4QWXX-vmxG2HipOzkEVs1nzUAYoKebIdcGk-E7UObfo9urAwShIKUFfB8oKDUyj4zcrUKGJv6mb2TtKW-chWRiAm~yeqE9iZdkqkWTxjtA13eYRnk68JFMDwV9cQFLfNmJBiBhbu2CJpIfNH18uTY-4gFgspnZV8P7mazH2j5v4vrN43xpevvLdCOM2M0moziPWl7ku7T1LS1cB2vXHAH1JVH~2uiMK52ptFzGc4VSAv~rTfLozys3zx0zfCEPLxP54QR-6y7FUwG2iZfK-cxbSJDIp9WDyI9JW2OTDlqNaW-TQzsXsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clarksville, TN","date","2025-06-17T12:31:56Z","article","Several residents used the public‑comment period to urge the city to improve pay and supports for Clarksville firefighters, saying current compensation forces many to work second jobs and leaves little time for recovery from traumatic calls.

Kelly Snyder, a licensed professional counselor and spouse of a firefighter, described the cumulative stress firefighters face and cited department call volumes: \"Last year, Clarksville firefighters responded to nearly 20,000 calls...Over 70 percent were medical emergencies,\" she said, recounting how repeated exposure to medical trauma can erode mental and physical health. Snyder told the council that many firefighters lack time or financial flexibility to access mental‑health care because they work additional jobs.

Melissa Lindsey, a teacher and member of Clarksville‑Montgomery County Education Association, compared firefighter compensation to regional peers, said the starting firefighter salary (quoted in the meeting as about $43,000) was low for the responsibilities described, and urged the council to develop a structured step pay plan and other supports.

Council response and context: the public comments did not trigger a formal council motion at the meeting. Commenters asked the council to consider pay, step plans, mental‑health supports and other retention tools; council members acknowledged the concerns and are positioned to consider them in future budget deliberations.

Discussion vs decision: public comment raised service and workforce concerns for council consideration; no immediate council action was taken during the special session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special Session - First Reading of the Budget - June 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public addressed the council in a public‑comment period urging higher pay and better support for Clarksville firefighters, describing long shifts, exposure to traumatic incidents and secondary jobs needed to make ends meet.","taxTitle","Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee","taxId",4858,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197035,"Council trims some nonprofit funding after debate; Custom House cut reduced, HRC reduced",2030,3090000,5120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7&start=3090&end=5120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7/thumbnail_3090000.jpg","/articles/6197035/Clarksville/Montgomery-County/Tennessee/Council-trims-some-nonprofit-funding-after-debate-Custom-House-cut-reduced-HRC-reduced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197035-5bc68e16d882905481c18d986b575df9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192929&Signature=cvfQPwykziT7emEuwd-3sWpF4AaB4iiUQHS5ryoZEqyA~nf2WwlFZ969jmVqDLfOLQKB2KClSyApsvMMhmz6PwnTTgc6qLQVn3raxtLDVNNel97-GNXDJTTVsLaDOboOoBmq4r9S2RxDT0Po9qubuDKvsToc-bIFt1TXdhDxe4FnKC6FKDVpm8UAtWhkaKl1OuIpDusRYIxXYL~Jg13v-msjJJx0I~u8mes3LesSglts0Q9WgpxuMMhBNpTQGw3kOhxsT8Mp92FeejLzlkYFcJPMdSxxwwhrsVHMeDZUwDPCh794epRYgc1kpLxA7wavR5Aw7vgET65Si~sHN6ibyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council considered multiple amendments affecting city funding to nonprofit and quasi‑public agencies during the fiscal 2025‑26 budget debate and adopted an amended package that reduced some grants while preserving others.

Councilman McLaughlin proposed reducing general wage and benefits funding to nonprofit partners to match city employee levels; that motion initially proposed reductions totaling roughly $128,128 but was amended in committee and by later votes. After debate and follow‑up amendments, the council adopted an amendment that left the Custom House Museum’s city funding at a lower reduction than originally proposed and reduced Human Relations Commission (HRC) funding by $28,400; an earlier proposed $44,000 reduction to the senior center failed.

Council members who opposed deep cuts said organizations such as the Custom House Museum and senior center provide important community services and that funding changes should be paced and tied to measurable fundraising or performance targets. Councilman Zacharias said he would review goals and fundraising activity in future budget cycles; the council asked funded agencies to provide regular reports to the finance committee going forward.

Outcome and next steps: the council adopted the package of amendments as amended (votes on specific amendments varied; the final Lovato amendment as amended passed 10‑1‑1). Council asked that city‑funded agencies report regularly to the finance committee; any future changes to funding will be considered in subsequent budget cycles.

Discussion vs decision: council exercised its budget authority to reduce some grant amounts for FY25‑26; reductions were targeted and in some cases pulled back after amendments and debate. No legally binding new grant contracts were executed at the meeting; contract terms will be handled by the finance office and in future approvals.","During budget amendments the council debated and then adopted reductions in funding for several city‑funded nonprofits; a large initial proposed cut to the Custom House Museum was reduced after members sought a compromise and a reporting requirement was added for funded agencies.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197040,"Council trims parking commission budget, removes proposed parking enforcement officer",318,1046000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7&start=1046&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7/thumbnail_1046000.jpg","/articles/6197040/Clarksville/Montgomery-County/Tennessee/Council-trims-parking-commission-budget-removes-proposed-parking-enforcement-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197040-77415a1a48b7fc26e5298952ee76166b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192929&Signature=VFmG6ueonXGZLvPt0pHT9EAz0qDpovEIuHMkPhhjbfCvR4QuP2aBtrrgasjlghUN09aBAolyrEy50uY5tQx86flWqjm4ClLCfv1XjIlkPlwh8XJ~D0OvrLA1vahNXT2JZocy8pBfwfScDOV25jUI3og4nGzGeXrVIlN7xfa8EOIPjNA1MxBpnpA9R9uaZ6wPJZaegyGacgpZrnzy9B2NzPxJYQCOiW6mLy-ZEhrl963YN7CMzY3WPOp5Ho3b31ZC-~P~guvG7yBt-0tcZjFSuD16UClaJp6Wx1fKHNcscPzeAD9zvsVcB-agqDVjv6SpCyazqNoUROnJOD46mPNpIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members voted to delete a proposed new parking enforcement officer position from the Clarksville Parking Commission’s FY25‑26 budget during consideration of Ordinance 95.

Councilman McLaughlin moved to eliminate the position, stating that enforcement of illegal parking (blocking hydrants, intersections, traffic) is a police function, while the parking commission’s work centers on lot management and meter collections. \"Illegal parking... is enforced by the police department,\" McLaughlin said.

Michael Palmer, of the Parking Commission, said the proposed night enforcement position would also oversee event parking and lots where paid parking is required; he told the council that if a rewrite of the parking code assigns illegal‑parking enforcement to the Clarksville Police Department, the new position would not be needed. The commission currently delegates certain fines and collections to its governing body and awaits final code language.

Outcome: Amendment to remove the position (amount cited ~ $56,620) passed 11‑1; the ordinance as amended then passed first reading 11‑1. Council discussed interim coordination with the police department and said the commission may post positions city‑only first if new staffing is needed in the future. The council did not approve a permanent transfer of enforcement powers at this meeting; code rewrite is pending.

Discussion vs decision: council removed the budgeted position and approved the parking commission budget as amended; it did not change the municipal code at this session.","Council adopted an amendment to remove funding for a proposed parking enforcement officer after discussion about whether illegal parking enforcement belongs with police or the Parking Commission; ordinance passed first reading as amended.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197045,"Council splits over Frosty Morn project, affordable housing and reallocating capital debt",1300,1680000,2980000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7&start=1680&end=2980","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7/thumbnail_1680000.jpg","/articles/6197045/Clarksville/Montgomery-County/Tennessee/Council-splits-over-Frosty-Morn-project-affordable-housing-and-reallocating-capital-debt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197045-e0a6b36692f3441ea6b7ab7f1af955ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192929&Signature=be1waooKyQ~wRMZmyEP0l1gow9sZshcbYjxlZetWzT0kV9pecVow5qZnX0br9ApS4Q8A-7j9e295GBPT9M14uC6U4tnedDPnUcL8-fSIf0p5n3KEvrI3xIGu02pVy78VWAoLsNynCDPiNJwsxeecLfAj8m7J6Hl3qPRnWps2bNyf9ZFpoQxS8sinokyVs42zH5WzuV5CMEncGlu0Wy-pBTNWemCQu9cU4vR5HNb2NcTIVDkbeCUSPnpvEm1bQfVnHXMssAOrcMqbvzCzVAZHaNhfGP1~52Z8ls9XNiDR7quMXq5-0KyTceYYiBTCrZ0m81pBhj72ThwdZtOnDPoUzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilman McLaughlin proposed and won an amendment to unfund and close the Frosty Morn capital project and to transfer the property to a land‑bank or trust to support privately built, affordable senior housing; the amendment passed 7‑5.

The proposal surfaced during debate on the fiscal 2025‑26 governmental funds budget (Ordinance 97). McLaughlin told the council the site is on a bus line and has access to local amenities, and he said transferring the property to Neighborhood and Community Services’ land‑banking process could spur affordable housing development. Michelle Austin, director of Neighborhood and Community Services, said the department supports acquiring land for affordable housing but that formal land‑bank or community land trust structures are still under study.

A competing amendment from Councilman Marquis sought instead to defund Frosty Morn and reallocate roughly $4 million to immediate public safety capital needs — a new fire engine and Station 3 — and to lower the tax rate by shifting debt. Marquis argued the shift would reduce the tax rate by approximately 1.5 cents and address urgent infrastructure and public safety needs; his substitute failed 5‑7.

Mayor and staff cautioned the council not to commit to building new police or fire facilities without a plan to staff them. The mayor noted that a proposed new Clarksville Police Department district building would require 24–27 additional officers in a later fiscal year — a roughly $3 million annual personnel cost — and warned the city’s limited debt capacity should be preserved for acute stormwater projects identified elsewhere in the budget discussions.

Why it matters: the vote reallocates city capital planning and retains the Frosty Morn site for possible affordable housing via a land bank rather than continuing the city capital project as previously budgeted. Council members debated tradeoffs between immediate public safety equipment/space and long‑term housing and neighborhood services, as well as the fiscal capacity to issue debt.

Actions and outcomes: The McLaughlin amendment to close Frosty Morn and transfer the property passed (7 yes, 5 no). A Marquis substitute that would have redistributed Frosty Morn funds to a fire engine, Station 3 and the Outlaw Field Public Safety Complex failed (5 yes, 7 no). Council members also discussed that approximately $4 million has already been spent on Frosty Morn for demolition, roofing and site work; the mayor estimated roughly $4 million already invested and a larger total project budget in future years.

Discussion vs decision: the council decided to stop future budgeted funding for Frosty Morn and move toward a land‑banking approach; the council did not approve construction, staffing, or debt issuance for a public safety complex at this meeting.

Forward look: Neighborhood and Community Services staff said they will evaluate land‑bank or community land trust options and coordinate with local partners on possible nonprofit development; council direction preserved debt capacity for other capital needs while leaving future staffing and construction decisions to later appropriations.","A proposed amendment to close the Frosty Morn project and transfer the property to a land bank for affordable senior housing passed after debate; a substitute that would have redirected funds to fire equipment and a public safety complex failed. Council members raised debt capacity and staffing concerns for public safety facilities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197050,"Clarksville officials fund $1 million stormwater study, signal possible new utility and fees",590,350000,940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7&start=350&end=940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853942-df974b96d74ac6424e80408deccbf8b7/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6197050/Clarksville/Montgomery-County/Tennessee/Clarksville-officials-fund-1-million-stormwater-study-signal-possible-new-utility-and-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197050-bd8a62c364895f5ac672873a856a1cc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192929&Signature=i2xJZuhPsQSy8qDSIGhRdREfTw0k9io43Iqu~5TOe0Y9YucaiqGb0FG5GNFoqK0Ii-GIz-jk-3IrgTC9TvW-FpylUuu-XadBZFqENp1R1hYPpLDF4POdXnwVir8Oi3RBnPfuDuFl5TwD69r62VyW51ZIWYPStqcHQv1tFLz-ow2Og9YZBKDtduIAhPmMSJuAOKFP1lFzo-TbwFUez0Nt5V9zfO6EzUEwx8tH~UaR0K0mLZ2ijRaYAXBoQOuadahCJMEkcWtSKBfwkAP5OyNcLqOVytCWG7T-eEwEcbJSkV81IpypqGi9D0gpgeepyxdb730EpFw4026I8bjkfIagUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clarksville City Council members voted on first reading to amend the Gas and Water Department budget and include $1,000,000 for a citywide stormwater study and to budget a stormwater operations division manager.

The study, presented to the council by Mr. Riggins of Clarksville Gas and Water, will inventory and assess pipes, ditches, injection wells and detention basins, review permits and FEMA flood maps, and recommend short‑, mid‑ and long‑term capital projects. \"We've got a million dollars in the budget for a stormwater study,\" Riggins said. The council approved Ordinance 93, first reading, 12‑0.

Why it matters: city staff said existing maintenance through the street department lacks a dedicated funding source to address chronic stormwater problems, and a study would define responsibilities, staffing and equipment needs. Riggins told the council the study would also support creation of a rate structure; he said many peer cities use a parcel‑based system tied to impervious surface to set stormwater fees.

What council heard: Riggins described options under consideration, including moving stormwater responsibilities from the street department into Gas and Water, hiring an in‑house expert to manage the study, expanding GIS stormwater mapping and possibly inspecting private injection wells to give owners compliance reports. He said the study team would evaluate whether private systems spill over into public infrastructure and whether some private assets should be public.

Staff cautioned that modeling infrastructure capacity and drafting a rate structure are likely to follow consultant work and that grant funding will be sought; Riggins said American Rescue Plan funds were not available for new applications. The study timeline was estimated at about a year and a half.

Outcome and next steps: Ordinance 93 (amending the fiscal year 2024‑25 budgets and adopting fiscal year 2025‑26 budgets for Clarksville Gas and Water) passed first reading, 12 yes, 0 no. Council and staff said the study would inform whether the city establishes a stormwater utility and, if so, a tiered rate based on impervious area. Any creation of a utility, rate schedule or collection mechanism would require further council action.

Discussion vs decision: the council approved funding to study the issue and add a position; no fee or utility was adopted at this meeting.

Closing note: Riggins said the study would also identify capital projects needing immediate attention and the likely staff and equipment costs to operate stormwater management functions if the city takes them on.","City council approved first reading of an ordinance that adds $1 million to the Clarksville Gas and Water budget for a year‑long stormwater study and budgets a new stormwater operations manager position; officials say the study could lead to a stormwater utility and a parcel‑based rate structure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local firefighters’ pay, staffing and mental‑health strain highlighted in public comment

Council trims some nonprofit funding after debate; Custom House cut reduced, HRC reduced

Council trims parking commission budget, removes proposed parking enforcement officer

Council splits over Frosty Morn project, affordable housing and reallocating capital debt

Clarksville officials fund $1 million stormwater study, signal possible new utility and fees