The Legislative Liaison Committees share their requests with state delegation

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville presented to the local delegation of the Tennessee General Assembly Thursday evening at William O. Beach Civic Hall during an annual reception that combines representatives of state and local governments in collective dialogue.

Introductions, words of gratitude for the local delegation and the legislative committees, and a list of prior legislative accomplishments were shared by Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and City of Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts. 

The state legislative delegation for Clarksville and Montgomery County includes 22nd District State Senator Bill Powers, 23rd District State Senator Kerry Roberts, 67th District State Representative Ronnie Glynn, 68th District State Representative Curtis Johnson, and 75th District State Representative Jeff Burkhart.

Montgomery County’s Legislative Liaison Committee is chaired by County Commissioner Lisa Prichard (District 16) and includes County Commissioners John Gannon (District 1), David Harper (District 15), Rashidah Leverett (District 5), and Joe Smith (District 3). 

The City’s Legislative Liaison Ad-Hoc Committee is chaired by City Councilperson Stacey Streetman, and includes Mayor Pro Tem Wanda Smith (Ward 6), and councilpersons Travis Holleman (Ward 7), Keri Lovato (Ward 12), Deanna McLaughlin (Ward 2), Joe Shakeenab (Ward 11) and Brian Zacharias (Ward 1).

“Presenting our legislative items together is another example of collaboration that makes us stronger and unique from many other communities. I appreciate the work done by the County and City Legislative committees and the continued efforts made on behalf of Clarksville and Montgomery County by our delegates,” said Mayor Golden.

“I want to commend these councilpersons who take their service to heart, and have invested the time to create a working document for the coming session of the General Assembly that represents several of our City’s most significant needs,” said Mayor Pitts.

Councilperson Streetman said, “I am grateful for the Legislative Liaison Committee’s time commitment to draft an agenda. This is an important opportunity for us to showcase our needs before the State Legislature.”

The combined legislative item from the County and City is to encourage the Tennessee Department of Transportation to obligate funding the following road project phases in the FY24-26 Transportation Improvement Program:

• SR237/Rossview Rd. from two to four or five lanes (from east of International Blvd. to east of Kirkwood Rd) and complete the construction in a timely manner.
• Widen Interstate 24 from four to six lanes (from KY State line to SR76/MLK Pkwy, exit 11) and complete the PE-NEPA and PE-Design in a timely manner.

Key agenda items presented on the County’s legislative agenda include:

• DireNeed to Address Infrastructure
• Private Act Limitation of County Commissioners to Hold Incompatible Offices – Would apply to counties with a population greater than 200,000.
• Collection of User Feesfor Collection of Waste - Allow the legal application of user fees to be collected from all persons to whom fees are applicable                                                    
• Private Utilities Delaying Public Projects - Request a time limit for private utility companies to respond and act upon a local governmental project when utilities need to be moved.         
• Sheriff Office Fees - Allow sheriffs to demand advanced fees for services of all processes originating outside the sheriff’s county.                                                                                                
• Legalize Medical Cannabis
• Demolition by Neglect - Three key components: identification, incentives, and enforcement.
• Animal Welfare Regulations - Addition of regulations to the State of Tennessee Animal Control Laws pertaining to the duties of pet owners.

Key agenda items presented on the City’s legislative agenda include:

• Road projects and infrastructure
  • State Route 48/Trenton Road 
  • State Route 374/Warfield Boulevard/Richview Road
• Private Utilities - Request an imposed time limit on private utility companies, to address the need to respond to local government projects where utilities need to be moved.
• Fire Station Safety Improvement Grant Program - Replacing or renovating existing fire stations or building new fire stations
• Emancipation Day Holiday – Acknowledge August 8 as “Emancipation Day” in Tennessee
• Equalization Rate Application to Pilots – Exemption for municipal utilities from the equalization ratio.
• Legalize MedicalCannabis
• Restore/ReturnShared Sales Tax – Support restoration of the historic revenue-sharing relationship (pre-2002)
• Local Sunshine Laws – Allow local governments to follow the same Sunshine Laws as state

Following the presentation, Senator Powers spoke on behalf of the state legislative body.

“We always appreciate the legislative committees bringing the needs of our community to us. We are fortunate that the state representatives for Clarksville and Montgomery County get along so well together. I promise we are constantly fighting for our fair share,” said Senator Powers.

The Legislative Agenda process has a history of making a difference for County and City constituents.

Mayor Pitts noted that one significant win for the process was securing state BEP funding for Genesis Teen Learning Center on Fort Campbell Boulevard, which is devoted to students having emotional or behavioral challenges that affect classroom performance.

Senator Powers also gave credit to Representative Burkhart for his successful efforts in securing state funding for the second DMV location, scheduled to open in 2025.

The County and City requested public input on legislative agenda items from June 2023 through August 2023 through local media outlets as well as County and City social media outlets. The detailed list of County/City legislative items as well as past legislative item successes is posted at https://bit.ly/3ROnUQP 

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Business owners and residents can now view up-to-date tax information on the County Trustee site 

Montgomery County, TN –  The 2023 property tax bills are now available for Clarksville, Montgomery County residents and business owners at mcgtn.org/trustee. Each year the County Assessor’s Office provides the County Trustee’s Office with the information needed for property owners to conveniently view and pay their property taxes online or in person. Property tax bills are generally available in October but were prepared in August of this year and available September 15.

Tax relief and tax freeze vouchers were mailed from the Trustee's Office on September 8th. Recipients are encouraged to return them as quickly as possible. Because the tax roll is available earlier than usual, the Trustee’s Office is now accepting new applicants. Applications will be accepted through April 5, 2024.

“Viewing and paying online would not be possible without the Assessor's Office's tremendous efforts every year. Providing and preparing this information is a major undertaking for our constantly growing community. Moving up the date has allowed us to mail out information earlier and contact the 366 people on our summer waitlist, encouraging them to apply for relief benefits," said Trustee Kimberly Wiggins.

"Locking the assessment roll earlier than we did in the past is an adjustment that provides benefit and convenience. It's a pleasure to work shoulder to shoulder with Kimberly and her team for the benefit of both taxpayers and users of property data," stated Assessor of Property Erinne Hester.

For address changes, please contact the Assessor of Property Office at 931-648-5709 to update an address. The Montgomery County Assessor of Property Office and the County Trustee Office contain a wealth of information on property values, locations, and property tax information. Links to both sites may be found under the Gov tab at mcgtn.org.

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Montgomery County, TN – Montgomery County Government welcomes the 2023-2024 Mayor’s Emerging Leaders, a group of 34 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors serving as unofficial county committee members.

Students participating in this year’s Mayor's Emerging Leaders Program, which began in late August, have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and gain an inside look at how their local government operates. During the meetings, students are recognized and encouraged to ask questions.

"As County Mayor, I am grateful to see students interested in learning about local government. When I met with them, they were engaged and curious about my role and the role the county plays in their community. They are eager to learn and I love that," said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

County committees include the Airport Authority, Animal Control, Audit, Budget, E-911, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, Jail and Juvenile, Parks, and School Liaison.

This year’s participants include Kendel Baynham with Rossview; Wyatt Bowling with Montgomery Central; Caleb Brinkley with Early Technical College/ Clarksville High; Gabriella Calub with Rossview; Abigail Chambers with Montgomery Central; Cade Cocke with Clarksville Christian; Cristian Contreras with West Creek; Trystne Coryell with Rossview; ; Justin Falls with Northeast; Emily Fernandez with Middle College; Abbey Grace Fleming with Clarksville High; Juan Garcia Fuentes with Northwest; Aiden Funches with Middle College; Anijah Hatten with Kirkwood; Wesley Irvin with Clarksville Christian; Victoria Kennedy with Clarksville Academy; Lindsay Lee with Rossview; April Maberry with Clarksville High; Ethan Martinez with Montgomery Central; Da'Nivea Mostella with Northwest; Savannah Oliver with Rossview; Aizedehinomwan Otamere with West Creek; Clarissa Pembleton with Clarksville Academy; Tristan Salinar with Middle College at Austin Peay State University; Abby Scoville with Clarksville Academy; Molly Scoville with Clarksville Academy; Taylor Shoup-Jines with ETC at TCAT; Jayla Smith with Clarksville Christian; Autumn Snyder with Kirkwood; Gabreanna Soberano with Middle College/ Kenwood; Tessa Streeter with Clarksville High; Allison Tamboia with Kirkwood; Addesyn Underwood with Rossview and Willie Wilson Jr., with Clarksville Academy.

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Last Edited: September 15, 2023 @ 1:33 pm

Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Clerk’s Office will close early on Wednesday, September 20, for staff training. Services will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. only on that day. The County Clerk’s Office will resume operations at 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 20.

For information about the County Clerk’s Office and their online services, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5711.

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Last Edited: September 08, 2023 @ 4:22 pm

County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins Completes Service as President

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins recently attended the Tennessee Association of Property Tax Professionals (TAPTP) conference at the Lane Agri-Park Community Center in Murfreesboro. The TAPTP is a statewide organization for those who work through the delinquent tax chain from assessment to sale with the goal to enhance the collection of property taxes in all counties and municipalities across the state. The members consist of attorneys specializing in delinquent property taxes, county trustees, municipal revenue officers, state officials, county clerks, clerk & masters, property assessors, and support staff for the individuals and officers.

“Education is key when it comes to our roles, responsibilities, and sworn oaths of office,” said Trustee Kimberly Wiggins. “It has been my honor to serve as president of this esteemed organization which is comprised of some of the most diligent and caring professionals that I have had the pleasure to work alongside in our state. Congratulations to Attorney Greg Gallagher of Shelby County on taking the helm as the new TAPTP president,” added Kimberly Wiggins, outgoing president, now immediate past president. 

For information about TAPTP, visit https://tnpropertytaxpros.org

Photo of 2023-2024 Board Members include: 

Doug Gordon-Knox County Tax Attorney, Director

Gina Smith-Tipton County Clerk & Master, Vice President

Tim- Shelby County Tax Attorney, Secretary 

Kimberly Wiggins-Montgomery County Trustee, Immediate Past President

Greg Gallagher-Shelby County Tax Attorney, President

Erica Gilmore-Metro Nashville-Davidson County Trustee, President-Elect

Rob Whitfield-Henry County Tax Attorney, Director

Not pictured: Robin Benton, Knox County Trustee’s Office, Tax Sale Coordinator, Treasurer

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