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Clerk Treasurer warns Senate Enrolled Act 1 could force cuts to Clarksville fire territory
Summary
Clerk Treasurer AD Stonecipher told the council Senate Enrolled Act 1 will shrink assessed-value deductions over time and could reduce fire territory revenue by roughly $1 million per year starting in later years, equivalent to the cost of about 10 first‑year firefighters; he urged coordination with lawmakers and unions to seek amendments.
Clerk Treasurer AD Stonecipher presented an analysis of the fire territory’s revenues and the projected effect of Senate Enrolled Act 1, telling the council the town faces accelerating reductions in assessed value and revenue over the next decade. Stonecipher said current net property-tax collections for the fire territory are roughly $6.7 million and that recent sales have helped the TIF return to positive cash flow.
“This is the realities that we face with Synodact 1... In 2027, there's a $300,000 hit,” Stonecipher said, warning that later years could bring roughly $1,000,000 annual cuts based on the external analysis. He added, “We will have to dissolve by 2031,” describing long-term scenarios if no legislative changes are made.
Stonecipher walked the council through revenue components — property tax levies, equipment replacement tax, pension funds and miscellaneous excise receipts — and showed how state circuit‑breaker tax caps have already reduced taxable collections. He said consultants at Reedy Financial calculated the bill’s impacts, and his office reviewed the numbers to produce a “ballpark” projection for the council.
He urged collective action: lobbying state lawmakers, working with first‑responder unions and engaging residents to seek amendments that would lessen the long‑term effect on local emergency services. The presentation included an example homeowner scenario from the state board of accounts to illustrate the phased standard deduction and supplemental homestead deduction changes planned under the act.
The council asked for the presentation materials to be shared with department heads and firefighters so stakeholders can communicate with state representatives. Stonecipher said he would circulate PDFs and public records of the slides to council inboxes.
