Clarksville Town Council Regular Meeting and Work Session – April 21, 2026

The Clarksville Town Council convened on April 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. for a regular meeting followed by a work session. The council unanimously approved several routine items, heard a presentation from an Eagle Scout candidate, and received a detailed fiscal report from the Clerk-Treasurer outlining options to address an estimated $1.3 million shortfall in the general fund. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of April 7, 2026 – Approved as revised (corrected to reflect denial of Resolution 5 and approval of the Kenning Shell agreement).
• Claims – Approved with corrected total of $156,251.24 for town current and pre-written, wastewater, bonds, grants, and payroll.
• Acceptance of minutes for placement on file.
• All consent items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public registered to speak.

Discussion Items

Approval of Employee Health Insurance Renewal (7.1)

• Town Manager Beatty presented the renewal, noting the current policy runs through May 31, 2026. After market analysis, the insurance committee recommended staying with existing carriers: UMR/United Health Care (medical), VSP (vision), and One America (life and disability). Premiums will see a net decrease of approximately $72,938 overall, including a 1.37% medical decrease, 5.19% vision decrease, 12.9% life decrease, and 47.5% long-term disability decrease. The council approved the renewal unanimously (7-0).

Purchase of Fuel Dispenser System (7.2)

• The existing 25‑year‑old fuel system at Town Hall campus is obsolete. A quote from Oscar Lawson Company for $24,759.60 was accepted to replace the dispensing pumps and line sets. Funds were available from the CCD fund. The purchase was approved unanimously (7-0).

Council Member Comments

• Several council members expressed gratitude for the successful Thunder Over Louisville event and the first concert series of the season. They thanked the police, fire, and public works departments, as well as staff, for their efforts. The next concert is scheduled for May 9, 2026, featuring the band Jackjaw and The Crashers.

Work Session: Eagle Scout Project – First Responder Memorial Wall

• Scoutmaster Gary Noakes introduced Life Scout Ryan Busey, who proposed constructing a first responder memorial wall at a location adjacent to the Veterans Place Memorial. Two potential sites were identified: northeast side (near fire station) or west side (across from the flag retirement area). Ryan described a brick wall (8 ft long, 5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide) on a concrete circle with two benches, listing names of fallen first responders from Clark County. Estimated cost: $2,500. Fundraising would come from donations. The council gave tentative approval, with staff to assist with site selection and design. Council members suggested using granite for durability and recommended contacting local businesses for donations.

Work Session: TIF District Report and General Fund Budget Discussion

• Clerk‑Treasurer Stone Cipher presented the statutorily required TIF district report for calendar year 2025. Total TIF revenues were $11,936,506 (including $2.2 million from real estate liquidation). Expenditures totaled $8,942,048 for legacy TIF and $42,000 for The Bend TIF, leaving a combined fund balance of approximately $4.91 million. The report also detailed grants to schools ($400,000 distributed among four districts based on student population).
• Cipher then presented a “menu of conceptual options” to address an estimated $1.3 million general fund shortfall for the current fiscal year. Revenue options discussed included: a $5/month trash fee on sewer bills, a per‑foot street cut fee (currently $10 flat; Jeffersonville charges $0.75/foot – council suggested $1/foot), a wheel tax (estimated $160,000/year), a $100/month take‑home vehicle rental fee, and increased interest from rainy day reserves. Cost‑reduction options included a working spouse exemption from the health plan (potential savings of $322,000 to $645,000) and a 2% across‑the‑board department cut (about $400,000). Cipher stressed that $700,000 in actions are already underway, but council action within the next six weeks is needed to finalize the 2026 budget and prepare for 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Health insurance renewal approved (7-0).
• Fuel dispenser purchase approved (7-0).
• Eagle Scout memorial wall project given tentative approval; staff to assist with design and permitting.
• Budget discussion – No formal vote taken. Council will consider revenue and reduction options over the coming weeks, with a goal of balancing the general fund by early June 2026.