Montgomery Co. budget for new fiscal year includes pay increases for all county employees
Kenya Anderson- The Montgomery County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2025-26 fiscal budget.
- The budget includes $2 million for the County Fairgrounds.
- The budget keeps the property tax rate at $2.10 per $100 and gives all county and CMCSS employees a 2% cost-of-living increase.
Montgomery County residents won't see a property tax increase this year despite discussion about the possibility this budget season.
The Montgomery County Commission's passed the 2025-26 fiscal budget at its June formal meeting, including a 2% cost of living raise for all county and school district employees and raised teachers starting salaries to $50,000 in Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools System.
The property tax rate of $2.10 per $100 of assess value remains unchanged and was approved by the commission.
Commissioners also passed a capital projects budget that would fund school and county repair and construction projects.
Public safety and quality of life
This year's budget focuses on public safety and quality of life for residents in multiple ways, Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said in a media release.
“Ensuring the safety of our residents and their property is essential to sustaining our growth," Golden said. "We are allocating resources and funding to the Montgomery County Fire Department, Sheriff's Office, and EMS to strengthen emergency response capabilities and ensure the residents in our community and their property are well protected.”
Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools will receive $6 million in funding for capital projects, including replacing the HVAC control at Woodlawn Elementary, roof replacement at Montgomery Central Middle and district-wide parking and pavement improvements.
The $2 million county fairgrounds project will begin as funding for Phase 1 was approved. Phase 1 includes planning, design, and infrastructure for roadway, mass grading, and restrooms.
Additional funding includes:
- Renovating and converting the Lone Oak Church into a Community Center
- Personnel and equipment to operate new facilities coming online for Stokes Field, North Branch Library and the Animal Control Facility.
For public safety, the budget includes:
- Funding for a new downtown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Station
- Funding for 8 full-time paramedics with an additional ambulance to provide added coverage for north Clarksville.
- Funding for a new fire station and sheriff precinct in the Kirkwood area, along with additional personnel
- Funding for a new fire engine and additional equipment
Budget highlights
Other than no property tax increase, the 2025-26 budget includes many highlights including:
- $54.8 million debt retirement (principal + interest)
- $37 million in proposed capital projects
- 2% cost-of-living increase for all county and CMCSS employees
- Raising CMCSS teacher's starting salaries to $50k
“And a thriving community is rooted in a high quality of life, offering strong opportunities in industry, commerce, education, and recreation to attract and retain businesses, residents, soldiers, and families. By investing in amenities, schools, parks, events, and recreational opportunities, we create an environment that supports those who call our community home.”
Funding for flood victims
In April, after two floods made their mark in Clarksville-Montgomery County, county commissioners passed a resolution offering financial relief.
The unanimously approved resolution provided $500,000 in emergency funding to help begin the repair process of homes in the Farmington subdivision.
The funding was delivered in the form of a donation to the nonprofit YAIPAK, which will distribute it for work completed solely for the mitigation of immediate damage and to stabilize properties from future damage.
"If you own a home, if you have insurance and you don't have flood insurance, you are them, and they are you. Would you need help? You probably would. I know I would," said District 19's Billy Frye, where Farmington is located.
Kenya Anderson is a reporter for The Leaf-Chronicle. She can be contacted at kanderson@gannett.com or on X at kenyaanderson32. Sign up for the Leaf-Chronicle to support local journalism at www.theleafchronicle.com.